Being able to feel the ground beneath your feet is now possible for people wearing prosthetic legs as researchers from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria pioneers a prosthesis technology.
Prosthetic leg technology
The team of scientists, led by Dr. Hubert Egger, was the first in the world to fit a human being with a sensory-enhanced prosthetic leg. The prosthesis is able to simulate sensations which allow for a safer use of prosthetics and reduce phantom pains. The amputee, Wolfgang Rangger who lost his right leg back in 2007, was fitted with this complete prosthetic limb. It gave him the sensation of feeling the ground underneath him and sensing pressure spots on his foot.
[Image Source: Prosthetics ReALL]
Firstly, the patient’s nerve endings are transferred near to where the prosthesis connects. The nerve endings are then hooked up to stimulators placed in the prosthetic leg that is connected to six sensors on the artificial foot’s sole. Consequently, when the sensors touch the ground surface, stimulation is passed on to the nerve endings which travel as sensation messages to the patient’s brain.
[Image Source: Prosthetics ReALL]
Moreover, the patient underwent “Targeted Sensory Reinnervation” by OÄ Dr. Eva-Maria Baur and OA Dr. Thomas Bauer at the University Clinic for Reconstructive Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in Innsbruck, which is a research partner of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. This is a process where selected sensorial nerve endings of the original foot are transferred to the sole of the prosthetic and reactivated to indicate surface pressures.
[Image Source: Prosthetics ReALL]
This complex routine of sensing, stimulating and brain processing gave the prosthetic leg user another chance in being able to feel the steps they are taking. It is a significant breakthrough for the future of prosthetics and a life-changing invention.
Natural advantages
Because of the neural interface, patients are able to recognize the surface profile they are walking on. The users become more aware and alert from the obstacles under their feet which significantly decrease the risk of falling. The majority of pain felt by conventional prosthetic users are due to the uncomfortable integration of the artificial limb onto their body. Through the re-established transfer of information of this revolutionary prosthesis, the long lasting pains felt by users have been eliminated.
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