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.

Scientists develop suitable test prosthetics for cyclists

Disabled cyclists will be among those competing at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in September 2016. Ensuring top performance calls for prosthetics of superior design, but tailoring them to handle the combination of movements cyclists make has always been a problem.

4 Jul 2016

TPU scientists develop robotic arm prototype controlled by algorithm using myoelectric signals

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a robotic arm prototype and its control algorithm using myoelectric signals. The mechanical limb will independently recognize the motions of its owner and be able to perform all the same motions like a healthy arm.

22 Jun 2016

Unlocking the first gene to cause otosclerosis: an interview with Dr Ralph Holme

Otosclerosis is a common cause of hearing loss, particularly amongst young adults. It normally starts in their 20s or 30s and it affects about 1 in 200 hundred people. In the UK, about 300,000 people are affected by the condition.

7 Jun 2016

New osseointegrated press-fit implant reduces infection risk for above knee amputees

A new study in today's issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found minimal risk for severe infection with osseointegrated implants--a newer prosthetic system, press-fitted directly into the femur bone--that enables bone growth over a metal, robotic prosthetic limb in patients with above knee amputations.

2 Jun 2016

Natural proteins could be used to test new replacement hip, knee joints

A new study suggests that natural proteins can be used to effectively test new replacement hip and knee joints in the laboratory. The work could help with improving design in order to reduce wear and tear and increase the lifespan of such prosthetics.

20 May 2016

New discovery on brain plasticity could help develop biomarkers for SSD treatment

A new discovery could help people suffering with single-sided deafness (SSD) find a treatment quicker - and could potentially lead to a cure.

12 May 2016

SFU scientists aim to develop new control system for most advanced bionic hands

A Canadian athlete's dream to one day "move" his fingers again after losing an arm in a workplace accident is now within grasp, thanks to a robotic arm prosthesis being developed at Simon Fraser University.

5 May 2016

Coloplast issued patents for new grey SenSura Mio stoma bag

Medical devices company Coloplast has been granted patents for the colour of its new grey SenSura Mio stoma bag which makes it almost invisible under white clothing.

13 Apr 2016

World-leading artificial limb maker, Touch Bionics, acquired by Össur

Livingston-based Touch Bionics, the developer and manufacturer of world-leading upper limb prosthetic technologies, has been sold by its shareholders – including Archangel Investors, Scottish Investment Bank and management – to Össur Hf, the Iceland-based provider of prosthetic, bracing and supports solutions, for a consideration of £27.5 million on a cash and debt free basis.

12 Apr 2016

Orthopedic wear and mechanical testing webinar to be hosted by Lucideon

Lucideon, the international materials technology company, together with Knight Mechanical Testing, is hosting a webinar entitled ‘Wear and Mechanical Testing of Hips and Knees - What the Standards Don’t Tell You’ on the 28th April at 3PM (UK time) 10AM (EST).

From Lucideon 8 Apr 2016

Study findings strongly point to independent control of sensory neurons during motor learning

Sensory neurons in human muscles provide important information used for the perception and control of movement. Learning to move in a novel context also relies on the brain's independent control of these sensors, not just of muscles, according to a new study published in the journal Current Biology.

2 Apr 2016

Vibration sensor helps analyze sense of touch

Type an email on your computer. Raise a glass to your lips. Feel for the light switch in a dark room. Simple, everyday tasks can demand subtle interactions between our hands and our surroundings, but, surprisingly, much remains unknown about the mechanics of the sense of touch.

29 Mar 2016

Boston Children's, Edwards Lifesciences launch new prosthetic heart valve study for congenital heart defect

Surgeons in the Heart Center at Boston Children's Hospital have partnered with Edwards Lifesciences to launch a clinical study of a new prosthetic heart valve for patients born with a congenital heart defect.

17 Mar 2016

Amputee feels texture in real-time with artificial fingertip

An amputee was able to feel smoothness and roughness in real-time with an artificial fingertip that was surgically connected to nerves in his upper arm. Moreover, the nerves of non-amputees can also be stimulated to feel roughness, without the need of surgery, meaning that prosthetic touch for amputees can now be developed and safely tested on intact individuals.

8 Mar 2016

ResMed announces definitive agreement to acquire Brightree

ResMed, the world's leading tech-driven medical device company and innovator in sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory care, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Brightree, a leader in business management and clinical software applications for the post-acute care industry.

From ResMed Corp 22 Feb 2016

Johns Hopkins engineers successfully use mind-controlled prosthetic arm to control movements of fingers

Physicians and biomedical engineers from Johns Hopkins report what they believe is the first successful effort to wiggle fingers individually and independently of each other using a mind-controlled artificial "arm" to control the movement.

16 Feb 2016

Anti-biofilm compounds show promise against drug-resistant bacteria associated with hospital-acquired infections

Researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute and School of Public Health have discovered a new class of anti-biofilm compounds derived from marine microorganisms that show promise against a drug-resistant bacterium commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections.