Prosthetics

Frank NawazED 315

An artificial device used to replace a missing body part, such as a limb.

What is it?

Ancient times, the most notable one being the simple peg leg.

 In the Middle Ages the first sophisticated prostheses were made, using strong and heavy iron to make limbs.

Even with the articulated joints invented by Ambroise Paré in the 1500s, the amputee could not flex at will. Artificial hands of the time were intricate imitations of real hands, but were not exceptionally functional.

Peter Baliff of Berlin in 1812 for below-elbow amputees Van Peetersen in 1844 for above-elbow amputees, were

functional, but still not fully flexible.

Background information

The nineteenth century, J. E. Hanger, an engineering student, lost his leg in the Civil War. He designed an artificial leg for himself and in 1861 founded a company to produce prosthetic legs.

Another amputee named A. A. Winkley developed a slip-socket below-knee device for himself, and founded the Winkley Company in 1888.

Another amputee named D. W. Dorrance invented a terminal device to be used in the place of a hand in 1909. His terminal device (the hook) is still considered to be a major advancement for amputees because it restored their ability to grab to some extent. Modified hooks are still used today.

Background information

Provides fluid movement and allows to have the use of arms or legs.

Usefulness/Purpose

Functional prosthetic limbs can actually be controlled in a variety of ways.

a prosthetic arm can be controlled through a cable attached with a strap or harness to the opposite, healthy shoulder. The working shoulder is then moved in certain ways to control the prosthetic device -- similar to how you might use a hand lever on your bike to control the brakes.

How does it work?

Equipped with a variety of mechanisms that help them to move naturally as a patient walks or runs.

A prosthetic knee is particularly difficult to engineer, as it must constantly adjust to allow for normal walking, standing and sitting.

Advanced artificial legs have a computer-controlled knee that automatically adapts to adjust to the patient's walking style.

How does it work?

Advantage - Provides freedom and fluid movement.

Disadvantage – Discomfort, price

Advantages & Disadvantages

A lower extremity prosthesis (leg) can range in cost from $5,000.00 to $50,000.

An upper extremity device (arm) can range from $3,000.00 to $30,000.

Cost

Very reliable

Made with the best materials

Flexible movement

Reliabiltiy

Shriners Children’s Hospital

Every 6 months

Newborn-18 years old

Availability in the CNMI

http://www.answers.com/topic/artificial-limb

http://www.disabledworld.com/assistivedevices/prostheses/prosthetics-costs.php

http://science.howstuffworks.com/prosthetic-limb4.htm

http://catalogs.indiamart.com/products/artificial-limbs.html

Sources