Game Changers – Innovations in Upper-Limb Prosthetics

Despite major achievements and advances in upper-limb prosthetics technology during that past half-century, a high number of upper-limb amputees have generally decided to live prosthesis free relative to lower-limb amputees. On face value, this is relatively straightforward to understand as – unlike lower-limb amputees who require a prosthesis for walking – upper-limb amputees can generally function pretty well without one. There are also notable drawbacks to wearing an upper-limb prosthesis, including sweating, heat rashes, blisters, contact dermatitis, ingrown hairs, bacteria infections and abrasions. Beyond that, many have been faced with how inadequate their prosthetic hand has been relative to a real human hand, which is a tremendously complex body part and therefore difficult to mimic, and have opted to live unimpeded by a cumbersome prosthesis as a result. 

Thankfully for upper-limb amputees, never have technologies been more useful or better able to mimic a real human arm and hand than what is currently available. As opposed to the less-effective and unrealistic prosthetics of yesteryear, today’s incarnations look brilliant cosmetically, and they add real value to the lives of upper-limb amputees by making Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) achievable and also allow for more freedom and the ability to participate in the activities and hobbies they love most. Beyond the way in which innovations in upper-limb prosthetics have opened up the world to amputees, wearing a prosthetic mitigates the frequency and severity of phantom limb and lessens the likelihood of developing tendinitis, bursitis and arthritis by having to overwork one’s intact limb. We believe the medical community is standing on the threshold of even further innovation that will make life for upper-limb amputees even more seamless and amazing than ever before. We invite you to continue reading to see the miraculous prosthetics that exist today that will put your own life back in your hands.

Innovations in Below-Elbow Prosthetics

Recent innovations in below-elbow prosthetics evoke not only the Terminator movies, but also Luke Skywalker’s life-like bionic hand as seen in Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back. What these prosthetics hands can do is amazing by any standard, as they make a range of ADLs extremely achievable and let wearers participate in both active and intense activities and exercise. The real difference maker that has allowed today’s cutting-edge prosthetic hands to offer so much to their wearer and mimic a real hand so accurately is that they are myoelectric-controlled, meaning they are powered, moved and negotiated through the electrical signals generated by the wearer’s muscles. The aptly named Michelangelo Hand is a fully articulated robotic hand prosthesis and is the first to feature an electronically operated thumb that beautifully mimics natural human hand movements. It allows the wearer the freedom perform a range of delicate every day tasks, such as gardening, tying shoelaces, operating tools and far more through holding, gripping and pinching motions. Another stunning innovation that boasts being ‘the world’s most lifelike bionic hand’ is the Bebionic Hand. Through its individually motored fingers, powerful microprocessors and auto grip it offers 14 different grip patterns to allow wearers to do pretty much anything an average day might throw at them. TheBebionic Hand is made to handle up to 100 pounds which means that wearers can enjoy unprecedented levels of freedom in their domestic, working and sporting lives. 

Innovations in Above-Elbow Prosthetics

The DynamicArmElbow prosthesis by Ottobock has been a real game-changer for above-elbow amputees. It is not just cosmetically pleasing and natural looking – it is built to allow wearers to use it in their active lives. The DynamicArm is myoelectric-controlled and allows wearers to both flex and extend the elbow and to carry up to 11 pounds while in motion and 50 pounds while static. The attached hand is the fastest available for above-elbow prosthetics and can open and close nearly 3 times faster than other hands. The wrist can also twist and turn through the myoelectric-sensors. The DynamicArm provides for a natural all-around experience, makes a range of ADLs possible and lets wearers seamlessly participates in activities that would not have been possible through previous generations of above-elbow prosthetics.

There been major innovations in upper-limb prosthetics in recent years and we expect technologies to become even more exciting, useful and capable of catalyzing amputees to a happy, healthy and active life filled with doing the things they love most. If you would like to speak about the latest developments in upper-limb prosthetics, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at the Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at(212) 241-6321.

Game Changers – Innovations in Lower-Limb Prosthetics

In very recent memory, there was a time in which it was a medical and engineering achievement to have a prosthetic lower-limb merely able to provide an amputee with the ability to have basic ambulatory movement like being able to get around the house or take a short walk outside. Yet, as brilliant as this was, it simply was not good enough as amputation would often remain a barrier to leading the active life that many desired. Indeed before recent innovations, those with lower-limb amputations had to plan their days and lives around their limited ability to walk. For instances, places with stairs or uneven sidewalks would have presented a most daunting and intimidating obstacle for amputees, which meant that often many would have opted to stay at home and miss out on the fun and excitement outside their front door. Thankfully, as a result of some serious innovations to lower-limb prosthetics amputees need not sit on the sidelines of life any longer – they can jump head first into the active, happy and healthy life they deserve.

Innovations in Prosthetic Feet and Blades

Those with below-knee amputations can now benefit from prosthetics that will put the world back at their feet once again. Previous prosthetic feet were marred by an unnatural or limited range of ankle motion, which often resulted in strain on knees, hips and back, or – worse yet – nasty trips and falls. The latest technology – seen in prosthetic feet like the Ossur Proprio Foot with Evo – offers a motor-powered ankle that increases ground clearance and allows the user to walk across all kinds of terrain in a natural and safe fashion. Such an innovation allows lower-limb amputees to walk virtually anywhere again: to the shops, long country walks or even exploring cities like New York, Paris or London on foot!

Walking is brilliant, but how about running? Thanks to the emergence of the Paralympics as a bona fide sporting event, we have all seen the so-called ‘blade runners’ – the world class track and field athletes that defy their disability to achieve feats about which able-bodied persons might only dream. But it is not only paralympians who can access this life-altering blade technology – it is available to all amputees who either want to resume their old sporting lives or to explore new ways to be active. Technologies like Blatchford’s Elite Blade – a lightweight, e-carbon foot with flexible, independent springs that reduce shock transmission – let users participate in high impact sports from serious running to football, basketball and more. These amazing innovations to prosthetic feet and blades mean that those with below-knee amputations can live their lives to the fullest and most active extent, unimpeded by their disability.

Innovations in Prosthetic Legs

One of the most exciting innovations in engineering – not to mention prosthetics – in recent years has been the multi-award winning Blatchford Linx. This prosthetic leg for above-knee amputees is practically out of a science fiction movie as it is the first one ever that is integrated with robotic control of both the knee and foot that communicate with each other to move just like a human leg. It uses a network of sensors that act like human nerves to continuously collect data about the way in which the user walks, their activity and the terrain on which they are moving. This information is processed by Linx’s central computer to adapt its responses so its wearer can always walk confidently, knowing that they will always be at the right speed and enjoy the right support at all times on practically any terrain and on slopes and steps. Beyond walking and navigating one’s world happily and uninhibited, users can participate in a range of sporting activities, notably cycling. Linx has even innovated the mere act of standing still, which has long been a difficult and painful task for amputees, by sensing when it has come to a standstill and automatically locking so its wearer can relax in a normal standing position. Lastly, unlike previous cutting-edge prosthetic legs, there is no need to endure the lengthy process of recalibrating the ankle and knee joints again and again; Linx uses a smart algorithm to calibrate the limb automatically.

There been major innovations in lower-limb prosthetics in recent years and we expect technologies to become even more exciting, useful and capable of catalyzing amputees to a happy, healthy and active life filled with doing the things they love most. If you would like to speak about the latest developments in lower-limb prosthetics, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at the Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at (212) 241-6321.