We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Artificial Joint Restores Natural Wrist Movements to Amputees

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Dec 2018
Print article
Image: A wrist-like artificial joint acts interfaces between osseointegrated implants and a prosthetic hand (Photo courtesy of Chalmers University of Technology).
Image: A wrist-like artificial joint acts interfaces between osseointegrated implants and a prosthetic hand (Photo courtesy of Chalmers University of Technology).
A new study describes how an artificial joint reestablishes important wrist-like movements to forearm amputees, which could dramatically improve their quality of life.

Developed by researchers at Integrum (Mölndal, Sweden), Chalmers University of Technology (Göteborg, Sweden), and The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pontedera, Italy), the wrist prosthesis is based on an osseointegrated implant system placed into the two bones of the forearm--the ulna and radius--with an intermediate artificial joint that restores the functionality of the original distal-radioulnar joint, acting as an interface between the two osseous implants and the prosthetic hand.

By enabling the radius and the ulna to move with respect to each other, the natural range of wrist rotation is preserved, improving performance of activities of daily living and reducing compensatory movements that potentially lead to secondary health problems over time. The wrist device was fitted to an osseointegrated transradial amputee and its functionality assessed by a battery of tests, revealing that it can successfully restore natural forearm rotation, resulting in more naturalistic movements with intuitive natural control and sensory feedback. The study was published on November 13, 2018, in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering.

“Depending on the level of amputation, you could still have most of the biological actuators and sensors left for wrist rotation. These allow you to feel, for example, when you are turning a key to start a car,” said senior author Max Ortiz Catalan, PhD, of Chalmers University of Technology. “You don't look behind the wheel to see how far to turn -- you just feel it. Our new innovation means you don't have to sacrifice this useful movement because of a poor technological solution, such as a socket prosthesis. You can continue to do it in a natural way.”

One of the major obstacles to an amputee in regaining a high level of function is the inability to rotate the wrist in order to perform pronation and supination movements. This twisting motion is used every day, whether to turn a door handle, use a screwdriver, start a car or simply to turn over a piece of paper. Current prosthetic technologies offer only limited relief to this problem.

Related Links:
Integrum
Chalmers University of Technology
The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna


Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Brachytherapy Planning System
Oncentra Brachy

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel risk score for cardiovascular complications after bone marrow transplant (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Tool Predicts Cardiovascular Risks after Bone Marrow Transplantation

Every year, thousands of people undergo bone marrow transplants to potentially cure serious diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiency disorders. While these transplants can be lifesaving,... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.