Artificial prosthetic limbs have been in practice since early Egypt in the 600s BCE, from where a prosthetic foot has been discovered.
Did You Know...
It is quite fitting that the word Prosthesis comes the ancient greek word prósthesis, which means attatchment.
The origin of prosthetics is attributed to16th-century surgeon Ambroise Paré, who introduced amputation to save lives in medicine.
Artificial Limbs
What is a Prosthetic Limb?
A prosthetic limb is a man-made limb whose main purpose is to function as a normal limb that has been lost due to amputation or disfunction. There are endless models, but the basic casings are made out of leightweight metals such titanium and aluminum in the pylon which is the the internal structure of the prosthetic. The pylon in covered with an outer foam shell made out of a soft polyurethane foam. These types of prosthetics do not restore the feeling of touch in the user, becuase they are not connected the the body throught surgical methods. Other models, however, like bionic prosthetics discused below can allow the user to move through mind control because the bionic prosthetic types are controlled through microprossessors.
Learn more about bionic prosthetics below.
How do prosthetics work?
The way that a prosthetic is attatched and its method of functionality greatly depends on the type of prosthetic is needed based on the severity of the amputation. Some prosthetics like some upper body prostheses, are attatched simply by strapping across the opposite shoulder of the amputated limb. Others have the ability to feel through microprocessors that attatch to nerves and work via electric currents. There are many athletes with prosthetic limbs, many of which are some of the greatest in the sport. Prosthetics are a way to regain the ability to do the things you love despite missing an arm or a leg.
Do you know the main causes for amputation?
Take the quiz and find out!
Click the button to see models of prosthetics limbs and to learn about the four types of prosthetics.
Bionic Prosthetics
Do you what the word Bionics is short for?
Take the Quiz to fnd out!
Depending on the severity and preference of the amputee, some will recieve bionic limbs as opposed to regular prosthetics. The difference is that bionic limbs encompass an electric aspect. For example, some prostheses are controlled by microprossessors. These types of limbs offer greater functionality becuase they allow the person to be more fluid. Movement feels much more natural than with a standard carbon fiber prosthetic.Some even restore the user's ability to sense touch and control the amount of pressure that they exert. Bionic prosthetics do not only apply to limbs, but to eyes and other body parts as well.
What is an Artificial Organ?
An artificial organ is a man-made organ that’s purpose is to function as well as or restore a damaged or failed organ in the body. It is different from a synthetic organ, which is typically made using regenerative medicine.
Click here to learn some more about the ABC's of Organ Engineering using regenerative medicine techniques like stem cells.
Artificial Organs are made from a wide range of
Who makes Artificial Organs?
When venturing into the field of Artificial Organs, one very important name is that of William J. Kloff’s. He was a great dutch innovater who researched and developed the first artificial dialysis machine after moving the United States, and along with Robert Jarvik, he invented the first artificial heart. There are many biomedical engineers, profesors and doctors that also contribute to research and new advances in breakthrough artificial organ technology. One of these profesors is Alex Seifalan, who along with his team has created the Bionic Man, a robot who is equipped wiht synthetic and artificial organs.
View their innovation among many others' in the :
Artificial Organs
How are Artificial Organs made?
Model
Profesor Alex Seifalan along with his collleagues at the University College London invented a method of creating artificial organs. By using a patient's stem cells and a framing made of a advanced kind of nanomaterial, he has been able to implant artificial organs including the first trachea, tear duct, nose and ear. In the video to the right, Seifalan takes us through the artificial and synthetic organs he has made for the world's first "Bionic Man." The organs shown in this short clip include artificial kidneys, windpipe, pancreas, spleen, heart, and to tie it all together, artificial blood. To learn more about the Bionic Man, click the Smithsonian Channel page below.
Oscar Pistorius, a South African double amputee, runs at the 2012 London Paralympics.
Williem J. Kloff
© 2015 by Ranya Odeh. Proudly created with Wix.com