The technology behind prosthetic limb development is ever-changing. Introductions of manually controlled prosthetics, such as the leg with movable foot developed by the ancient Romans, set the pace for future prosthetic development, including our robotic prosthetic limbs available today. These limbs allow men and women to walk naturally on a prosthetic leg, run well using eve an above-the- knee prosthesis and grasp and pick up small objects with dexterity of a natural hand.
These developments are technologically stunning examples of how medical technology can improve the lives of prosthesis users around the world. Let’s take a look at how these robotic prosthesis work. Science and Technology of the Robotic Prosthesis Scientists have known for years how neurons transmit information from the brain to the limbs to make a person walk, run or grasp objects, but it has tacked decades of technological trial and error to harness the neuron information, display the neuron-speak to a computer and make the robotic prosthesis perform as necessary with the accuracy and speed needed for natural movement.
Technologists determined that biosensors could detect the neuron’s intent and tell the robotic prosthesis controller to act. The sensors could be hooked externally to the user’s skin or needles could be implanted into muscles to detect the desired movement, but the prosthetic needed to be as smart as the biosensors. Therefore, technologists improved the prosthetic with mechanical sensors that could provide additional information about the location, applied force and load of the prosthesis, telling the central controller the additional information necessary to make the robotic prosthesis bend the robotic foot at the correct time. Working together, the neurons tell the controller the intended action, the prosthesis conveys its own factors and the controller combines the information to make actions mimic natural movement.
Now able to move more naturally, robotic prosthesis wearers are able to tackle the most complex actions. Running, walking and grasping are no longer beyond the prosthesis’ ability.