Hope for those who are disabled
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Posted by Ernie on February 07, 19101 at 17:35:52:
Hope for those who are disabled, despite all the high tech materials and devices such as the C leg with its electrodes and battery witch allow people to walk down steps. In my opinion we are still missing the point as to were the real research should be. This device from what I was told seems to be great for those who can afford it but the real issue is to put any new product to the test as to help lesson a persons disability. In the field of prosthetic research I found that the most real gains were in the upper extremity area. The Utah arm seems it uses electrodes inside the socket and the person can trigger movement by Flexing certain mussel its been said that they can pick up an egg with out breaking it. I believe that the C Leg works on the same basic concept even today. That’s great, for a person either with singal or bilateral limb. I was an upper extremity specialist when I was working for Hosmer in Campbell, CA and J.E Hanger in Atlanta I also fabricated lower extremity prostheses which I then and now still wear. I was more impressed with the new technology with arms than with Legs. I think medical research felt legs were less debilitating than arms they may be correct but tell a bilateral or Hip disartic (spelling) that’s the case I don’t think they would agree with that.
The C leg to my knowledge offers no additional leverage for a person with a short stump. To me that would be the real test of new technology. Therefore the greatest need for a break through would be in that area and even people who are bless with
A long healthy stump what would it offer them. If science could find a way to add artificial bone to a human body short of cloning that would be a real break through. How many people would benefit from a longer Femur or bone, that would increases the probability of a more normal life. I’m not trying to take anything away from the C leg its good to see some one
Finally Start to add electro mechanical function to lower extremities prostheses. I used to dream of the day when MAUCH
Or some MFG would add a power assist mechinisium (spelling)to their current Hydraulic knee then maybe one could really walk up steps. You heard it hear first, I would challenge anyone with a Microprocessor C LEG down or up a flight of steps. just to really see what benifits its has over a standard Hydraulic knee. If some knows of research on artificial bone implantation in humans let us know, to me that is where the real research needs to focus. If their are any Hydraulic engineers reading this you may think I am crazy but I think that a small electric Hydraulic bump can be activated when the user needs to walk up steps only. I have been thinking of a power assist for nearly 30 years.
This is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Hi Karen think this type of device would help people.
Sincerely
Ernie
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