The first motorized prosthesis with a brain
Posted 11.08.2005 at 3:00 am
1 Comment
phealthPowerKnee_170.jpg
Sit down, stand up, climb stairs&8212;Ossur's Power Knee is the first motorized prosthesis to give leg amputees fluid motion by simulating the movement of the real knee next to it. A series of sensors strapped to the healthy leg measure pressure and motion 1,350 times a second to determine where the leg is going and how fast. The data transmit wirelessly to an artificial-intelligence processor on the 10-pound, battery-operated Power Knee. The microchip controls a brushless motor that drives the device precisely in sync with its healthy neighbor.
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I've been an amputee since I was fourteen years old. I've been fitted with some really crude prosthetics over the years. None of the prosthetics I've worn, have given me a sense of confidence. I'd like to know just what this prosthesis COSTS.