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.

ABHI's UK Pavilion at MEDICA to showcase cutting edge technologies and UK innovations

MEDICA 2016 (14 – 17 November, Dusseldorf, Germany) is attracting a high level of British healthcare technology companies keen to develop and nurture worldwide trade links post Brexit.

4 Nov 2016

Researcher develops nature-inspired adhesive that stays sticky when wet

Even the strongest glues collapse when soaked. Just watch a band-aid slide ungracefully off a finger or toe while in the shower. However, with support from the Office of Naval Research, one researcher has developed a nature-inspired adhesive that stays sticky when wet.

4 Nov 2016

Researchers identify underlying cause and potential treatment for phantom limb pain in amputees

Researchers have discovered that a 'reorganisation' of the wiring of the brain is the underlying cause of phantom limb pain, which occurs in the vast majority of individuals who have had limbs amputated, and a potential method of treating it which uses artificial intelligence techniques.

27 Oct 2016

Novel nanofiber coating shows potential to prevent bacterial infections of orthopaedic prostheses

In a proof-of-concept study with mice, scientists at The Johns Hopkins University show that a novel coating they made with antibiotic-releasing nanofibers has the potential to better prevent at least some serious bacterial infections related to total joint replacement surgery.

24 Oct 2016

New magnetic surgical device to be displayed in Texas for British Medtech mission

A pioneering magnetic surgical device that eliminates exposure to radioactive materials and offers a less invasive, more flexible alternative for breast cancer surgery will be showcased in Texas next week (15th – 21st October 2016)as part of a British Medtech mission.

19 Oct 2016

Mesh used to reinforce hernia repair provides mixed outcomes, study finds

Among patients undergoing incisional hernia repair, the use of mesh to reinforce the repair was associated with a lower risk of hernia recurrence over 5 years compared with when mesh was not used, although with long-term follow-up, the benefits attributable to mesh were offset in part by mesh-related complications, according to a study published online by JAMA.

18 Oct 2016

Contaminated devices used during open heart surgery could put patients at risk for infections

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning healthcare providers and patients about the potential risk of infection from certain devices used during open heart (open-chest) surgery.

13 Oct 2016

Immediate dental implant placement using osteotome technique offers advantages over traditional method

Immediate implant placement using the osteotome technique is a gentle technique and offers several significant advantages over the traditional graded series of drills.

4 Oct 2016

Inhealthcare introduces first self-testing mobile app for warfarin users

Digital health specialist Inhealthcare is bringing to market the first self-testing mobile app for warfarin users that connects directly to doctors.

From Inhealthcare Limited 21 Sep 2016

Study reveals risk factors and outcomes of infective endocarditis after TAVR

Among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, younger age, male sex, history of diabetes mellitus, and moderate to severe residual aortic regurgitation were significantly associated with an increased risk of infective endocarditis, and patients who developed endocarditis had high rates of in-hospital mortality and 2-year mortality, according to a study appearing in the September 13 issue of JAMA.

13 Sep 2016

The brain remembers missing hands and fingers even decades after amputation, study reveals

Our brains have a detailed picture of our hands and fingers, and that persists even decades after an amputation, Oxford University researchers have found. The finding could have implications for the control of next generation prosthetics.

30 Aug 2016

Alcohol-related hospitalisation linked to increased risk of ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation patients

Alcohol related hospitalisation is associated with a doubled risk of ischaemic stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, according to a study presented at ESC Congress 2016 today by Dr Faris Al-Khalili, cardiologist, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

28 Aug 2016

Research opens way towards making promising advances in retinal prostheses

A major therapeutic challenge, the retinal prostheses that have been under development during the past ten years can enable some blind subjects to perceive light signals, but the image thus restored is still far from being clear.

25 Aug 2016

Scientists unlock genetic code controlling limb regeneration

Many lower organisms retain the miraculous ability to regenerate form and function of almost any tissue after injury. Humans share many of our genes with these organisms, but our capacity for regeneration is limited.

5 Aug 2016

AOFAS volunteers travel to Vietnam for treating people with lower extremity deformities

Volunteers from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society returned to Vietnam this year to provide corrective surgery for children and adults with lower extremity deformities and disabilities.

30 Jul 2016

Researchers develop new approach to manufacturing mechanical metamaterials

Ill-fitting joint sockets, contact dermatitis and sebaceous cysts are just a few of the problems plaguing prosthetic patients. They are all a result of the pressure that their prosthetic devices place on the soft tissue of their bodies.

29 Jul 2016

SAPIEN 3 trans-catheter aortic valve replacement system improves survival in patients with aortic stenosis

Overall one-year survival was over 85 percent for high-risk or inoperable patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with the SAPIEN 3 trans-catheter aortic valve replacement system, according to a study published in the July 12 issue of the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

29 Jul 2016

Scientists develop new way to resurface arthritic hip joint

With a goal of treating worn, arthritic hips without extensive surgery to replace them, scientists have programmed stem cells to grow new cartilage on a 3-D template shaped like the ball of a hip joint.

19 Jul 2016

World’s most intelligent prosthetic limb? An interview with Professor Saeed Zahedi

The main challenges for lower limb amputees are safety and pain. Lack of sensory feedback leading to an increased risk of falling, compensatory movements due to instability causing lower back pain and discomfort between the residual limb and prosthesis all contribute to a significant reduction in confidence and an inability to live a full life.

7 Jul 2016

Novel robotic rectum may help clinicians detect prostate cancer

A robotic rectum may help doctors and nurses detect prostate cancer. The technology, which consists of prosthetic buttocks and rectum with in-built robotic technology, has been developed by scientists at Imperial College London.

4 Jul 2016