PRESENT
Prosthetics have progressed very much since the time of ancient
Egypt. For example, humans no longer have to rely on wooden legs, as they
can now use modern day prosthetics such as the C-leg. The C-leg is a microprocessor-controlled
hydraulic knee, and is one of the most advanced limb prosthetics on the
market. It has the most advanced sensor technology available which allows
it to adapt to each step and measure angles and movements about 50 times
per second. This allows the user of the C-leg to walk naturally, almost
if they had their own leg.
One of the most advanced hand prosthetics on our market is called the Otto
Bock Sensor Hand. This prosthetic hand has a unique function that makes
it more superior than other prosthetic hands; it can detect when an object
being held is about to slip and tighten its grip. There are sensors located
in the thumb and finger lever that can identify changes in the object's
weight or center of gravity. If there is a change, the data is sent to a
microprocessor that controls the force of the grip automatically. There
are two signals that control the hand: a brief myoelectric signal, and a
longer one. The brief signal stops the auto gripping response, and the longer
signal allows the hand to open. In addition, this hand gives the user control
of two fingers. The hand is also wrapped with Flexi-grip, which gives the
hand natural flexible grip and allows you to grasp fragile objects without
any trouble, similar to the fingerprint ridges that help us grasp fragile
objects.
Another important technological aspect in the development of prosthetics
has to do with the methods for bonding prosthetics to human tissue. There
are several methods for bonding prosthetics. The most modern technique is
called surface engineering. Surface engineering techniques are mainly used
when the patient needs surgical implants, such as a replacement knee that
has to bond with human tissue. This technique involves improving the bonding
capacity of the surgical implant as it functions with human tissue. This
can be done by either adding a coating or maybe changing the shape and texture
of the implant. An example is spraying a layer of pure hydroxyapatite (synthetic
bone) on the surgical implant to help it bond with human tissue.