Jerome Lynch, with ONR and Walter Reed researchers, has developed a “smart” prosthetic leg, with embedded sensors that monitor a wearer’s gait, the condition of the device, and the risk of infection.
Advantages include less pain, a fluid walking motion, and a more stable, better-fitting limb. However, infection risk is increased due to the metal profusion. This is meant to be addressed by electrochemical and skin sensors, including a bio-compatible array embedded within the residual limb. The array tracks changes in body temperature and pH balance, which indicate infection. It also monitors the fit of the bone and prosthetic limb, and the healing process, which could help doctors to speed recuperation.
Join ApplySci at Wearable Tech + Digital Health + Neurotech Silicon Valley on February 26-27, 2018 at Stanford University, featuring: Vinod Khosla – Justin Sanchez – Brian Otis – Bryan Johnson – Zhenan Bao – Nathan Intrator – Carla Pugh – Jamshid Ghajar – Mark Kendall