Revolutionizing Prosthetics

Abstract

The goal of this thrust was to radically improve the state of the art for upper limb prosthetics, moving them from crude devices with minimal capabilities to fully integrated and functional limb replacements. Current prosthetic technology generally provides only gross motor functions, with very crude approaches to control. This makes it difficult for wounded soldiers to re-acquire full functionality and return to military service if so desired. The advances required to provide fully functional limb replacements were achieved by an aggressive, milestone-driven program combining the talents of scientists from diverse areas including: medicine, neuroscience, orthopedics, engineering, materials science, control and information theory, mathematics, power, manufacturing, rehabilitation, psychology, and training. The results of this program radically improved the ability of combat amputees to return to normal function.

Document Details

• Document Type: Accomplishment
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: 4d9509bdee1d2f90bc928e50af4127ac

Tags

Readers

• Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
• Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.
• STEM Education