Welcome to Brainless Intelligence Blog! Today in the 3rd blog we will discuss the implementations of Artificial Intelligence in Prosthetics. Prosthetics can be described as a substitute for a missing limb or a technical aid to replace a missing body part. This need for replacement could happen for several reasons. Some people were born with a limb deficiency, complications in blood vessels or had a traumatic accident that caused amputation (Rackham et al., 1947). Prosthetics have a long history back to early Egyptian times. The composed wood, leather or metal were used to shape the prosthetic. Thankfully, technological advancements have allowed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enter the prosthetic field of healthcare and revolutionize the sector. Here, the technological advancements have been able to change the patients’ quality of life so that many of them can enjoy more control of their artificial limb and movement, often as much as with a regular arm or leg (Issac, 2012). Image Source: https://www.saveprosthetics.org/evolution-and-history-of-prosthetics-prosthetic-devices/ (Brentkucha, 2020). Prosthetic hands, for example, have benefitted from AI a lot as, thanks to this, a new function has been developed for the user to feel the hand. The bionic arm/hand prosthetic is controlled using implanted electrodes which enable sensation restoration to the user in everyday life. It is directly connected to the user’s nerves, muscles and skeletal system, and allows the arm/hand to be controlled by the brain while the stimulation of the nervous system evokes the sensation of touch. The nervous system collects the artificial information, which allows the prosthetic to mimic the hand movement. As a result, the user can feel the object and the sensation is of the grasping or pressing feeling. Collected by the electrodes information and signals produced are then sent to the embedded control system where Artificial Intelligence processes all the collected data. As a result, the sensors in control signals activate hand/arm movement and cause the restoration of sensation in the limb (Max et al., 2020). Image source: https://www.rehacare.com/en/Topic_of_the_Month/2021/August_2021_Prosthetics_%E2%80%93_between_wish_and_reality/The_future_of_prosthetics_is_here_thanks_to_Artificial_Intelligence_and_bionic_feedback (Hofmann, 2021}. For many years, the lower part of the limb prosthetic had constituted a technological challenge to overcome. It is not until the recent years that suitable and effective results for a demanding group of users have been achieved. With the technological advancements and developments in Artificial Intelligence researchers, scientists, and engineers have been able to make phenomenal changes within the field of smart lower limb prosthetics. Advanced bionic prosthetic relies on the engine, the chassis and powered assisted wheel. Each of the components is built to function as an intelligent limb. As discussed above with regard to the intelligent arm/hand, the bionic leg uses the same prototype where physical connections are integrated through the nerve, muscle, and skeletal systems. The prosthetic is easier for the user to attach than the regular prosthetic. There is no socket which eliminates the skin rash problem and associated with it discomfort. The mobility level becomes much improved, the user can walk, run longer hours, or stay active and exercise with more significant support from the bionic leg. The vibration of the bionic leg activates the sensors while artificial intelligence collects the data to process the actual movement. The result is that the patient has an improved control of his or her postural stability which is a significant improvement compared to regular prosthetics (Frossard, Powrie and Langton, 2019). Image Source: http://hotcore.info/babki/bionic-limbs-2013.html (Bionic Limbs, 2013). Innovations and improvements with the use of AI are still happening in prosthetics as scientists, researchers and engineers work towards achieving more precise and mind-controlled prosthetic options that would benefit users with different needs and demands to improve their health and quality of life. Artificial intelligence is fascinating and evolving at a fast pace. Stay tuned to the blog to find more about Artificial Intelligence, its impact on society, and what is happening around us. Image Source: https://www.ratemds.com/blog/this-prosthetic-hand-can-feel/ (Kozovski, 2015). References:Brentkucha. (2020). 'Evolution and history of prosthetics & prosthetic devices.' Available at: https://www.saveprosthetics.org/evolution-and-history-of-prosthetics-prosthetic-devices/ [Accessed: 26 February 2022]. Bionic Limbs. (2013). 'Bionic Limbs 2013 collection.' Available at: http://hotcore.info/babki/bionic-limbs-2013.html [Accessed: 25 February 2022]. Hofmann, A. (2021). 'The future of prosthetics is here thanks to Artificial Intelligence and bionic feedback.' Available at: https://www.rehacare.com/en/Topic_of_the_Month/2021/August_2021_Prosthetics_%E2%80%93_between_wish_and_reality/The_future_of_prosthetics_is_here_thanks_to_Artificial_Intelligence_and_bionic_feedback [Accessed: 25 February 2022]. Frossard, L., Powrie, R. and Langton, Ch. (2019) In-vivo kinetic system to sustain residuum health of service members with lower limb loss: From proof-of-concept to digital twin. In Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS). Available at: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/131940/ [Accessed: 25 February 2022]. Kozovski, A. (2015). 'This Prosthetic Hand Can Feel.' Available at: https://www.ratemds.com/blog/this-prosthetic-hand-can-feel/ [Accessed: 25 February 2022]. Rackham, H., Jones, W.H.S. and Eichholz, D.E. (1947) Pliny: Natural History, vol 7. Harvard University Press. Issac, P. C., I., (2012). Advancements in Limb Prosthetics. Available at: https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2013/limb-prosthetics/ [Accessed: 26 February 2022]. Max Ortiz-Catalan, M, Mastinu, E., Sassu, P., Aszmann and O. Brånemark, R. (2020) Self-Contained Neuromusculoskeletal Arm Prostheses. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(18), pp. 1732-1378. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1917537
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