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 identify independent predictors of both delayed and early discharge post TAVR

A new study finds patients who stay in the hospital for more than 72 hours when undergoing trans-femoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) procedure may be associated with negative short and long-term outcomes.

27 Apr 2018

New prosthetic arms stimulate nerves with mild electrical feedback

Losing an arm doesn't have to mean losing all sense of touch, thanks to prosthetic arms that stimulate nerves with mild electrical feedback.

27 Apr 2018

Researcher presents case study of asymptomatic patient with severe mitral regurgitation

In primary mitral regurgitation there are anatomic abnormalities of the mitral valve causing backward flow, placing a hemodynamic burden on the left ventricle.

19 Apr 2018

Medical device coated with new bacteria resistant materials approved for use by hospitals

A medical device coated with new bacteria resistant materials, discovered by a team at the University of Nottingham, has been approved for use by hospitals in the UK and Europe.

13 Apr 2018

Researchers develop thin, flexible polymers to record activity more deeply in the brain

Science has yet to unravel a complete understanding of the brain and all its intricate workings. It's not for lack of effort.

11 Apr 2018

Scientists demonstrate successful implementation of prosthetic memory system

Scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and the University of Southern California (USC) have demonstrated the successful implementation of a prosthetic system that uses a person's own memory patterns to facilitate the brain's ability to encode and recall memory.

28 Mar 2018

New study reveals why some visual cues remain subliminal

Understanding conscious perception is a major challenge for neuroscience. A new study published on March 22nd in Science now shows why weak visual stimuli of the same strength are sometimes detected and other times remain subliminal: As the signals travel from visual areas to the prefrontal cortex, fluctuating brain dynamics can make the difference, elevating some signals above the threshold of conscious experience and stopping others in their tracks.

27 Mar 2018

Students build 3D-printed, low-cost robotic prosthetic hand for amputees

Students at The University of Manchester have designed and built a 3D printed, low-cost robotic prosthetic hand that could provide a much cheaper alternative for amputees.

26 Mar 2018

Researchers find new method to restore movement sensation in patients with prosthetic arms

A team of researchers led by Cleveland Clinic has published first-of-its-kind findings in Science Translational Medicine on a new method of restoring natural movement sensation in patients with prosthetic arms.

15 Mar 2018

FDA expands approval of smaller size replacement heart valve for treating newborn pediatric patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approval of a heart valve to include a size small enough to be used in newborn pediatric patients to treat heart defects. Specifically, the agency approved the Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve with Hemodynamic Plus Sewing Cuff to include the 15-mm valve size, making it the smallest mechanical heart valve approved in the world.

7 Mar 2018

Amputees participate in UT Southwestern’s neural interfacing study

Michael "Shawn" Findley, a 44-year-old amputee with a wiring harness emerging from his upper left arm, is working with a UT Southwestern team to help change the way robotic hand biofeedback occurs. Ultimately, he hopes this research may lead to the closest thing to feeling in the hands of every amputee.

24 Feb 2018

Prosthetic users less affected by ‘size-weight illusion’, research shows

People with prosthetic arms or hands do not experience the "size-weight illusion" as strongly as other people, new research shows.

22 Jan 2018

Pitt researchers win NIH BRAIN award to enhance sensory feedback of prosthetic devices

Our tactile senses keep us aware of our environment and are essential for the execution of natural movement. Though there have been many advances in modern prosthetic devices, the loss of sensory feedback remains an issue, and many amputees struggle with everyday movement.

18 Dec 2017

Researchers use cryptographic techniques to decode activity of motor neurons

Cracking the German Enigma code is considered to be one of the decisive factors that hastened Allied victory in World War II. Starting with clues derived from espionage, computer scientists were able to work out the rules that turned a string of gibberish characters into plain German, providing life-saving and war-shortening intelligence.

13 Dec 2017

Study shows how electrical stimulation in the brain instructs appropriate response

The brain's complex network of neurons enables us to interpret and effortlessly navigate and interact with the world around us.

8 Dec 2017

New discovery about brain activity could improve control over prosthetic limbs

High-tech prosthetics allow amputees to engage more fully in everyday life, even to compete in sporting events.

1 Dec 2017

Novel discovery connects innate immunity deficiencies to rampant caries in some children

Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden have made a novel discovery connecting genetic innate immunity deficiencies to rampant caries and increased risk of dental caries affecting about one in five children.

27 Nov 2017

NUS engineers develop new flexible, ultra-thin microfiber sensor for real-time monitoring of vital signs

A research team from National University of Singapore has developed a soft, flexible and stretchable microfibre sensor for real-time healthcare monitoring and diagnosis.

16 Nov 2017

Researchers use ultrasound technology to help amputees get greater control of prosthetics

There's hope for a better life for people who've lost an arm or leg, thanks to new research funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense.