The Bionic Limb
Sparked by imagination and curiosity, human beings have ventured into the far depths of artificial technology like that of the movies. Generation upon generation of society have fought to find the authenticity in detailed stories of science fiction. Whether it was Robocop, or Johnny 5, the infatuation with these types of cyborgs eventually flowed into the factual scientific community where movie based reality became the truth. Researchers have found new ways to implement these ideas through the use of new prosthetics that allow amputees to live, as close to a normal life, as possible.
The medical community has been working towards this goal for a long time. Mobility is not an issue to take lightly, and without it, the freedom of life is contradicted. As humans, we all have the right to live happy and free lives. Thanks to the help of Richard Hirrons, a prosthetic clinical specialist who works for Ossur, these victims are now thriving without limitations. Developments in the field continue to advance and futuristic ideas of “mobility for all” may just be plausible. Artificial intelligence is needed for future innovations in the field to occur.
Prosthetic devices of the past only had the capability of responding to body movements in a passive type fashion. Modernized to adapt to any persons needs, these new prosthetics stimulate movement rather than reciprocate responses triggered by motion. The idea for these contemporary mechanisms are similar to that of a bicycle and a car: they both will get you from point a to point b, but one is motivated by muscle power and the other is motivated autonomically. The nerve power within the brain is accelerated by the prothetic device to provide movement that is more natural than before.
Ossur, a global leader in non invasive orthopedics, was founded in Reykjavik in 1971 with the intent to provide the world with more flexible options regarding limb loss. The company’s name came from a famous Icelandic prosthetist who created a coming of age silicone interface for prosthetic sockets. Developed by leading scientists in the industry, the products that Ossur has devised are nothing short of top of the line. Not only does this company invent the best prosthetic devices around, but as of March 2014, a new educational facility was opened in Orlando, Florida as an attempt to maintain the scientific minds behind this irreplaceable merchandise.
Artificial intelligence, in its own right, is a gift to humanity. Recognition for the people who are manufacturing results through the use of A.I. is essential because the developments encountered through these methods are really changing the world. Prosthetic devices, fueled by artificial intelligence, are making the lives of victims of immobility livable again. As we journey toward the forthcoming, may the scope of our lives and the technology we encounter, provide brighter prospects for all. Artificial intelligence, once the great unknown, is becoming more conventional on a daily basis. The imagination that once inflamed our childhood curiosity, has broken barriers between young and old, providing each person with the opportunity to live a happy, healthy, and mobile life!
References:
- Tennant, M. (2012). From sci-fi to reality - the future of artificial Intelligence and human physiology. March 14, 2014, http://www.medtroniceureka.com
By Tarra L. Rios
Social Links
