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Image: AI model of a hand to research motor manipulation; Copyright: EPFL / UNIGE

EPFL / UNIGE

AI model enhances understanding of hand movements for neuroprosthetics

11.10.2024

A research team led by EPFL Professor Alexander Mathis has developed an AI model that provides in-depth insights into hand movements, crucial for advancing neuroprosthetics and rehabilitation technologies.
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Image: Picture showing how the foldable pouch actuators improve soft rehabilitation gloves; Copyright: Chiba University

Chiba University

New actuator improves finger extension in rehab gloves

02.08.2024

Soft rehabilitation gloves have become essential tools in helping patients with hand function-related disabilities regain finger movement. Traditionally, these gloves use soft pneumatic actuators driven by air pressure to facilitate motion. However, most current soft actuators primarily assist in finger bending (flexion) but struggle with enabling finger straightening (extension).
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Image: A hand holds a mechanical heart valve prosthesis surrounded by a white, stitched textile material; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

Karin Kaiser/MHH

Cardiac medicine: minimally invasive replacement of any heart valve

19.04.2024

Hannover Medical School (MHH) is presenting a decisive advancement in cardiology: the minimally invasive replacement of the tricuspid valve using a new catheter system, a significant expansion of treatment options for heart valve defects.
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Image: A woman is holding a hand prosthesis that holds an orange. A sensor is attached to one arm of the woman, the sensor is connected to the prosthesis with a cable; Copyright: Andreas Schmitz/TU Mu

Andreas Schmitz/TU Munich

Hand prostheses: AI enables more intuitive use

05.03.2024

Previous robotic prostheses only respond to their users' movement intentions to a limited extent. A new control method being developed at the TU Munich could help: A network of 128 sensors and the use of artificial intelligence could allow people to control their prosthetic hands more intuitively and naturally.
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Image: Biomechanical carbon hand prosthesis for disabled people on the table in the office, another white prosthesis in the background; Copyright: ionadidishvili

ionadidishvili

Hand prostheses: Artificial intelligence makes gripping more intuitive

15.12.2023

A better understanding of muscle activity patterns in the forearm supports a more intuitive and natural control of artificial limbs. This requires a network of 128 sensors and artificial intelligence based techniques.
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Image: Prosthesis: 3D-printed plastics polylactic acid and thermoplastic polyurethane. Each finger contains four parts held together by plastic pins; Copyright: University of Houston

University of Houston

3D printable prostheses to restore amputees' finger mobility

18.10.2023

A groundbreaking, easy-to-use 3D printable finger prosthesis created by a recent University of Houston graduate could offer amputees a low-cost solution to restore finger functionality.
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Image: Close-up of a sensor bracelet demonstrator; Copyright: Fraunhofer IBMT

Fraunhofer IBMT

Bidirectional control of prosthetic hands using ultrasonic sensors

13.10.2023

Researchers at Fraunhofer are working as part of an EU research project to improve control of prosthetic hands down to individual fingers.
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Image: A man holds a prosthetic leg while a woman is screwing in it; Copyright: Marius Maasewerd, HAWK

Marius Maasewerd, HAWK

Orthobionics degree program qualifies specialists for orthopedics

01.08.2023

Starting from the winter semester of 2023, the Orthobionics program will launch a distinctive bachelor's degree. Geared towards the requirements of the orthopedic technology industry, they will be adept in independently providing care with modern orthoses and prostheses.
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Image: Patient wearing a prosthetic arm directly attached to the skeleton and neuromuscular system; Copyright: Chalmers University of Technology

Chalmers University of Technology

Bionic hand: surgical and engineering innovations enable unprecedented control

21.07.2023

For the first time, a person with an arm amputation can manipulate each finger of a bionic hand as if it was his own. Thanks to revolutionary surgical and engineering advancements that seamlessly merge humans with machines, this breakthrough offers new hope and possibilities for people with amputations worldwide.
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Image: A man walks in a garden with an ankle exo suit on his lower left leg; Copyright: Biodesign Lab / Harvard SEAS

Biodesign Lab / Harvard SEAS

Ankle exosuit: more independence for post-stroke wearers

09.06.2023

Designed for independent use in community settings, the new exosuit could help stroke survivors improve their gait outside of the lab and during their daily routines.
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Image: PhD student Maja Struczynska with the model of a single fibrinogen molecule; Copyright: Jens Meyer/Uni Jena

Jens Meyer/Uni Jena

Specially coated titanium reduces risk of clots on prostheses

26.05.2023

An international research team led by the german University of Jena has now developed a promising approach to significantly reducing blood clotting on the heart valve material titanium.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Exoskeletons for everyday use: Non-invasive method for controlling prostheses

26.05.2023

Modern prostheses are already smart, but they still have their limits. The Assistive Intelligent Robotics Lab at FAU is therefore also researching an intuitive and non-invasive method for controlling prostheses. In our interview, those involved tell us exactly what they are working on together with neurologists and surgeons from the Erlangen University Hospital.
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Image: The carrier of the ARM2U team, Kyle Briggs, competing with the prosthesis at a Cybathlon 2023 event; Copyright: BarcelonaTech (UPC)

BarcelonaTech (UPC)

Low-cost robotic arm created by students as an alternative to conventional prostheses

25.05.2023

A low-cost robotic arm created by students as an alternative to conventional prostheses: The ARM2u biomedical engineering team, from the UPC’s Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB), is working on new functions for their low-cost 3D-printed transradial prosthesis.
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Image: Patient testing a brain-computer interface developed by Charité to control an exoskeleton hand; Copyright: AG Klinische Neurotechnologie, Charité Berlin

AG Klinische Neurotechnologie, Charité Berlin

Controlling neural exoskeletons more precisely with diamond sensors

02.02.2023

In the recently launched NeuroQ lighthouse project, the project partners develop highly sensitive diamond-based quantum sensors that will enable paralyzed people to control neural exoskeletons more precisely.
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Image: A young woman in a white shirt operates her bionic prosthetic arm; Copyright: StudioVK

StudioVK

A prosthetic limb that can read my mind

04.01.2023

A team at FAU is investigating how intelligent prostheses can be improved. The idea is that interactive artificial intelligence will help the prostheses to recognize human intent better, to register their surroundings and to continue to develop and improve over time.
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Image: 3D printed finger orthosis from 3Digity; Copyright: 3Digity

3Digity

Finger orthosis: Custom fit with 3D printing

10.05.2022

Following an injury or surgery, orthotics are key components of the recovery and rehabilitation process. The University spin-off 3Digity designs 3D-printed customized finger orthoses to foster rehabilitation as custom orthotics can drastically speed up the recovery process.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Digitalization in orthopedic technology – A craft is changing

22.11.2021

Orthopedic auxiliary means are mostly still produced in manual labor today. But orthopedic technology is also trying out new ways by using tools like 3D scanners, digital models and 3D printing. Nadja Singer from Ottobock explains in our video interview how this changes the production of auxiliary means.
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Image: Sheath of a leg prosthesis that gets printed by a 3D printer; Copyright: PantherMedia/Markov81

Digital orthopedic technology: scan, customize, print

01.07.2021

When auxiliary means like orthoses or prostheses do not come from the shelf, but are adapted to the wearer, this means true crafting: In the past, a plaster mold of a body part had to be made as a template to create an individual aid from it step by step. Fortunately, we have come a long way until today.
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Image: A young boy is sitting in front of a computer, looking at a 3D scan of his head; Copyright: Artec 3D

Orthopedic technology: 3D scanners change the industry

01.07.2021

Orthopedic technology involves taking a measurement of a specific body part and then creating a medical device, be it prosthesis or orthosis, that fits. While optical scanners are already used for some of these measurements, others are still performed through manual labor and craft to create molds of the body. 3D scanners are changing this.
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Image: Physician checks function of an arm prosthesis; Copyright: PantherMedia/belahoche

PantherMedia/belahoche

Bionic prosthesis: easy to put on, intuitive to use

22.09.2020

Patients who receive a prosthesis after the amputation of a limb often have to train for weeks or months until they can control the technology and use it in everyday life without problems. At the Medical University of Vienna, the world's first bionic prosthesis has now been developed that has a closed control loop and enables immediate, intuitive use.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Endoprostheses - Ultrasound to detect loosening?

27.02.2019

Many patients suffering from arthrosis or other kinds of damage in the hip joint need an endoprosthesis at some point. However, this prosthesis can loosen again after some time, so that it must be replaced. In order to delay this replacement surgery for as long as possible, the TH Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences develops a new diagnostic method.
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