Body
¡ª a magazine targeted toward the limb-loss community ¡ª has published an interview with Levi Hargrove, PhD, director, Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine, Shirley Ryan ³Ô¹ÏÌìÌÃ91, on his research into neurally controlled bionic legs using osseointegration.
Body
Funded by the Department of Defense, this research ¡°integrates boundary-pushing approaches in surgical technique, prosthesis design, and neuromuscular (EMG) signal-processing¡± into a prosthesis that is ¡°lighter, more comfortable and easier to use than anything currently available.¡±
The study is the first to combine osseointegration, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and pattern-recognition control to operate a fully powered bionic leg prosthesis.
¡°We¡¯re using TMR to gather EMG information and send it to the powered legs. Our hypothesis is that, by not having a socket, we¡¯re going to be able to collect much higher-quality EMG signals from the muscle, and this should provide significant clinical benefits when using the powered legs,¡± said Dr. Hargrove. ¡°Step-over-step stair climbing is one example. Or using a powered ankle to provide push-off while you¡¯re walking quickly or upslope. Sit-to-stand transfers as well. So, it¡¯s the combination of the power leg with the really clean EMG control signals that we think will be game-changing.¡±
