A newly developed bionic knee enables amputees to walk more quickly, navigate stairs with greater ease, and skillfully avoid obstacles, according to researchers in the journal Science.
The new prosthetic knee is integrated directly with the user’s muscle and bone tissue, offering enhanced stability and more precise control, according to researchers.
Two study participants using the device reported that the limb felt more like a natural part of their body.
Bone-Anchored, Nerve-Controlled Prosthesis Offers Users a Stronger Sense of Embodiment, Researchers Say
“A prosthesis that’s anchored to the bone and controlled by the nervous system isn’t just an external tool—it becomes part of the person’s physiology,” said senior researcher Hugh Herr, co-director of MIT’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics. “It creates a deeper sense of embodiment.”
Unlike traditional artificial limbs that rely on a socket to attach to the residual limb, the bionic knee extends into the residual leg and integrates with both muscle and bone.
“It’s not just something a person uses—it becomes part of who they are,” Herr added.
Titanium Rod Implant Enhances Stability and Control in Next-Gen Bionic Prosthetics
To anchor the prosthetic, surgeons implant a titanium rod into the remaining femur, allowing for stronger mechanical control and better weight distribution compared to conventional sockets.
“We’re loading the skeleton directly, which is what it’s designed to do, instead of relying on sockets that are often uncomfortable and prone to causing skin infections,” explained lead researcher Tony Shu, a graduate student at MIT.
The implant is equipped with wires and electrodes that collect signals from the remaining muscles in the residual limb. This data is fed into a robotic controller that calculates the torque needed to move the prosthesis in alignment with the user’s intended movement.
“All components work together to improve how the body sends and receives signals and how it connects mechanically with the device,” said Tony Shu.
Two Amputees Trial New Osseointegrated Bionic Limb Alongside MIT’s Experimental Powered Knee
Two individuals received the new bionic limb, known as the osseointegrated mechanoneural prosthesis (OMP). Alongside 15 other amputees, they also tested an experimental powered knee prosthesis developed at MIT.
According to researchers, the man and woman with the OMP showed significantly better performance than those with standard amputations. They walked more efficiently, bent their knees to precise angles, climbed stairs, and navigated obstacles more easily.
They also reported feeling a stronger sense of connection to the artificial limb—as if it were part of their own body.
“No matter how advanced the AI in a robotic prosthesis is, it will still feel like a tool,” said Hugh Herr. “But with a prosthesis integrated into the body’s tissues, the more connected it is, the more likely users are to perceive it as part of themselves.”
Larger clinical trials are still needed before the OMP system can gain FDA approval—a process that could take up to five years, Herr added.
Read the original article on: Medical Xpress
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