How can patient-focused technology improve prosthetics?

Prosthetics are definitely a great conversation topic and also inspiring for the differently abled. There has been a lot of technological progress in the past 75 years. Prostheses controlled by electrical activity is still aren’t popular. It’s just not because they are not only expensive, but also there are some issues with myoelectric prosthetics like fragility, fit, control and weight. In the current generation, dual site myoelectric upper-arm prosthetics, the user just as in a carnival game has to flex their muscles to cycle through pre-arranged grips until they find the one they want. The mechanical attachment is another drawback where the patient needs to wear this mechanical device for long hours which could be really uncomfortable.  After a few hours or days of use the user’s might just find it better convenient to carry on their activities without these devices, due to the inconveniences that bother using them.  

The mechanical prosthetics are built to restore function, but for many users they have been less popular and underperforming as wearing them for a long time causes skin issues and also for some their normal activities are hindered and they prefer to quit using them anymore. The difficulty with mechanical prosthetics is they are yet to be designed to provide all the best functions a normal body does. As their comparison is with real arms with bones, muscles, nerves, and skin. The researchers and Bio scientists and technicians are facing awful engineering problems trying to fit the motors, electronics and mechanical items which need to be reduced to fit within the size of a limb.  Still the researchers have evolved with best technologies in the size, strength, durability and weight of the upper prosthetic limbs. 

Improved Patient oriented prosthetics technology

Researchers and a group of authors are of the opinion that years of technological advances in myoelectric prosthetics have really made change when used to knock directly to the human sense of image. The team has proved the consistency and practicality of these myoelectric arm prosthetics that can be controlled just by thinking. This functions through the implanted electrodes which also conveys sensations in everyday life to the user. These neuromusculoskeletal prosthetics are directly connected to the patients’ muscles, nerves and skeleton with the help of numerous techno medical devices.

It claims to provide comfort along with the sensation of touch. Biocompatible materials for osseointegration the skeletal attachment use titanium, polyurethane and silicone. The electrodes implanted in the muscles and nerves of the remaining stump along with the integration of titanium, platinum and iridium and an AI system translates signals between the user and the device.

Studies are still on to learn how intimately psychology and engineering can be combined to reduce the troubles for the user that they can use these devices as a part of their body and lead a normal life.

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