PURPOSE Prosthetic restoration of partial sensory loss leads to interactions between artificial and natural inputs. Ideally, the rehabilitation should allow perceptual fusion of the two modalities. Here we studied the interactions between normal and prosthetic vision in a rodent model of local retinal degeneration. METHODS Implantation of a photovoltaic array in the subretinal space of normal...

Passive prosthetic feet lack active plantarflexion and push-off power resulting in gait deviations and compensations by individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA) during slope ascent. We sought to determine the effect of active ankle plantarflexion and push-off power provided by a powered prosthetic ankle-foot (PWR) on lower extremity compensations in individuals with unilateral TTA as they ...

The oral mucosa of the edentulous ridges presents many morphological macroscopic and microscopic variations, from one area of the edentulous ridge to another, as well as from one patient to another. Because the mobile prosthetic treatment realizes a direct contact between the dental prosthesis and the mucosa of the denture supporting structures and of the peripheral structures, the prosthetic s...

In this paper we have discussed the trends undergoing in all the various steps involved in EMG (Electromyogram) based prosthetic hand development. In order to overcome some limitations of current prosthetic hands mainly related to the proper functionality and controllability, the prosthetic hand has been designed following a biomechatronic approach based on biologically inspired design solution...

Over the last decade, numerous experimental and numerical analyses have been conducted to investigate the stress distribution between the residual limb and prosthetic socket of persons with lower limb amputation. The objectives of these analyses have been to improve our understanding of the residual limb/prosthetic socket system, to evaluate the influence of prosthetic design parameters and ali...

A collection of 99 staphylococcal isolates associated with prosthetic joint infection and 23 coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from noninfected arthroplasty-associated specimens were screened in order to determine whether the presence of icaA could be used to distinguish between pathogens and nonpathogens. All Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infection isolates (n = 55) were icaA ...

A review is presented on the state-of-the-art methods for geometric and biomechanical assessments of residual limb tissues. Residual limb assessments are needed throughout different stages of prosthetic management, namely preamputation, residual limb maturation, prosthetic design, prosthetic fitting, and subsequent follow-ups. Geometric assessments include the monitoring of the volumetric chang...

In this article, we set forth a detailed analysis of the mechanical characteristics of anthropomorphic prosthetic hands. We report on an empirical study concerning the performance of several commercially available myoelectric prosthetic hands, including the Vincent, iLimb, iLimb Pulse, Bebionic, Bebionic v2, and Michelangelo hands. We investigated the finger design and kinematics, mechanical jo...

Evaluation of the Seattle Foot was the first major evaluation project undertaken by the Rehabilitation Research and Development Evaluation Unit. As a joint project with the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, it not only helped to launch an important new prosthetic foot concept but also set precedents for methods and procedures to evaluate promising prototype devices and to facilitate their co...

Infection is the second most common cause of prosthetic joint failure. Signs and symptoms associated with prosthetic joint infection may develop weeks or even years following arthroplasty. While some patients with prosthetic joint infection present with findings consistent with acute septic arthritis, many present with pain alone. Morbidity and cost associated with repeat surgery, prolonged med...