Prosthetic News and Research

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Prosthetic (Prosthesis) devices, such as an artificial leg, that replace a part of the body. Prostheses are typically used to replace parts lost by injury (traumatic) or missing from birth (congenital) or to supplement defective body parts. Inside the body, artificial heart valves are in common use with artificial hearts and lungs seeing less common use but under active technology development. Other medical devices and aids that can be considered prosthetics include artificial eyes, palatal obturator, gastric bands, and dentures.

Researchers create on-screen models of patient's beating heart

With the patient's heart displayed on a screen, cardiac specialists and engineers can run simulations of a variety of surgical procedures and predict their effects prior to an operation. This will save lives.

8 Oct 2015

Novel prosthetic heart valve developed for treatment of mitral regurgitation

A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a novel prosthetic heart valve, known as VeloX, which can be implanted through a small incision for the treatment of a serious heart valve disorder called mitral regurgitation. This is a condition in which the mitral valve on the left side of the heart does not close properly. The device is particularly beneficial to patients who are of high surgical risk or are unsuitable for existing clinical interventions.

6 Oct 2015

New software allows powered prosthetics to tune automatically while walking

When amputees receive powered prosthetic legs, the power of the prosthetic limbs needs to be tuned by a prosthetics expert so that a patient can move normally - but the prosthetic often needs repeated re-tuning.

29 Sep 2015

NUS scientists develop novel device suitable for electronics, robotics and healthcare applications

A team of scientists from the National University of Singapore Faculty of Engineering has developed a wearable liquid-based microfluidic tactile sensor that is small, thin, highly flexible and durable. Simple and cost-effective to produce, this novel device is very suitable for applications such as soft robotics, wearable consumer electronics, smart medical prosthetic devices, as well as real-time healthcare monitoring.

24 Sep 2015

Surgeons use 3D printed implant in patient diagnosed with chest wall sarcoma

After being diagnosed with a chest wall sarcoma, a 54-year-old Spanish man's surgical team made the decision to remove his sternum and a portion of his rib cage and replace it with an implant.

14 Sep 2015

IV drug abusers who undergo infective endocarditis surgery face higher risk of reoperation or death

Injection drug users who undergo surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) have a significantly higher risk of reoperation or death between 3 and 6 months after surgery compared to patients who develop endocarditis who are not IV drug abusers, according to an article in the September 2015 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

1 Sep 2015

Physio announces acquisition of Therapy Plus, debt restructuring through GE Capital's HFS

Physiotherapy Corporation announced today that it has acquired Therapy Plus, a seven-facility physical and occupational therapy provider in Milwaukee, WI. This follows its recent integration with the Anderson Orthopedic Clinics in northern Virginia and a joint venture with Central Iowa Healthcare in Marshalltown, IA.

28 Aug 2015

Sandia researchers develop nerve-like polymer network using biological mechanisms

Using a succession of biological mechanisms, Sandia National Laboratories researchers have created linkages of polymer nanotubes that resemble the structure of a nerve, with many out-thrust filaments poised to gather or send electrical impulses.

25 Aug 2015

Neovasc's second quarter revenues drop 18%

Neovasc Inc. today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

6 Aug 2015

Brain-controlled prosthesis could improve quality of life in people with spinal cord injuries

When we type or perform other precise tasks, our brains and muscles usually work together effortlessly. But when a neurological disease or spinal cord injury severs the connection between the brain and limbs, once-easy motions become difficult or impossible.

3 Aug 2015

$UO-led effort on fractal-based nerve connections granted U.S. patent$

UO-led effort on fractal-based nerve connections granted U.S. patent

Richard Taylor's vision of using artificial fractal-based implants to restore sight to the blind -- part of a far-reaching concept that won an innovation award this year from the White House -- is now covered under a broad U.S. patent.

29 Jul 2015

Impingement testing added to Lucideon’s orthopedic implant testing services

Lucideon, the international materials technology company, has added impingement testing to its range of services for orthopedic implant manufacturers.

From Lucideon 16 Jul 2015

ReWalk Robotics unveils latest edition of Personal powered exoskeleton system

ReWalk Robotics Ltd., the leading global exoskeleton manufacturer, unveiled today the latest edition of its Personal powered exoskeleton system—the ReWalk Personal 6.0—marking the company's sixth generation community use product. The ReWalk Personal 6.0 offers those in the spinal cord injured community the most functional exoskeleton system with the fastest walking speed and the most precise fit, among many other key benefits.

14 Jul 2015

Design4Health conference to demonstrate innovative approaches to global healthcare issues

A 3D-printable prosthetic foot, a low cost tool to help prevent the spread of Ebola and tartan designed by people with Alzheimer’s disease are just some of the projects on show at a conference looking at innovative new approaches to global healthcare issues.

From Sheffield Hallam University 9 Jul 2015

WPI-led study provides clues to new ways to treat difficult-to-cure fungal infections

A study by a multidisciplinary research team, co-directed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, offers new insights into how virulent fungi adapt through genetic modifications to fight back against the effects of medication designed to block their spread, and how that battle leaves them temporarily weakened. These insights may provide clues to new ways to treat notoriously difficult-to-cure fungal infections like thrush and vaginitis.

7 Jul 2015

Study sheds new light on how the brain forms memories

In the first study of its kind, UCLA and United Kingdom researchers found that neurons in a specific brain region play a key role in rapidly forming memories about every day events, a finding that may result in a better understanding of memory loss and new methods to fight it in Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases.

2 Jul 2015

Bournemouth University researchers examine effect of lower-limb prosthetics on competitive running

Researchers at Bournemouth University have been looking at the impact of lower-limb prosthetics on competitive running, specifically looking at whether athletes with prosthesis are at an unfair advantage when running against athletes without prosthetics.

30 Jun 2015

Kansas State University students' project gives individuals with prosthetic limbs a new look

A project by Kansas State University interior architecture & product design students is giving individuals with prosthetic limbs a chance to add some personality to their prosthetic and show the students that their discipline goes beyond creating products or designing spaces.

27 Jun 2015

Stanford researchers find how neurons work together to control movement in people with paralysis

Stanford University researchers studying how the brain controls movement in people with paralysis, related to their diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease, have found that groups of neurons work together, firing in complex rhythms to signal muscles about when and where to move.

24 Jun 2015

Touch Bionics introduces i-limb quantum bionic hand at ISPO Congress

Touch Bionics, a provider of world-leading prosthetic technologies, today announced a significant addition to the company's i-limb range of bionic hands at the International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics World Congress taking place in Lyon, France. The i-limb quantum incorporates the company's patented i-mo technology and is the first upper limb prosthesis that can change grips with a simple gesture.

23 Jun 2015