Lower Extremity Review
Arizona State University (ASU) bioengineers have developed a multistep strategy that applies different nanomaterials to diabetic wounds at different times to support both early- and late-stage healing. Their work showed this method outperformed a common wound dressing in a diabetic mouse model, closing wounds faster and producing more robust skin tissue. The researchers’ analysis also suggests that their…
A team of researchers from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have demonstrated a new method that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and computer simulations to train robotic exoskeletons that can help users save energy while walking, running, and climbing stairs. The novel method rapidly develops exoskeleton controllers to assist locomotion without relying on lengthy human-involved experiments.
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) engineered an innovative magnetic wound-healing gel that promises to accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds, reduce the rates of recurrence, and thus lower the incidents of limb amputations. Each treatment involves the application of a bandage preloaded with a hydrogel containing skin cells for healing and magnetic particles.
Gait analysis is emerging as a valuable, non-invasive complement to cognitive assessments that aid in early diagnosis and management. In clinical settings, gait and balance tests typically focus on a straight walking path. However, researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) have ventured into a different realm—curved path walking—a more natural yet complex activity. Straight walking is a rhythmic and…
Hanger, Inc., along with the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), announced the creation of the Dr. James H. Campbell Commitment to Outcomes Award during the General Session at the annual AOPA National Assembly. The award was created to honor Hanger Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Jim Campbell, PhD, CO, FAAOP, for his exceptional contributions to…
The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) announced the recipients of the 2024 Howard R. Thranhardt Award are Andreas Kannenberg, MD (GER), PhD; Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP (D); Tyler Klenow, MSPO, MBA, CPO, FAAOP; and Russell Lundstrom, MS. The award, established in 1996 by a gift from J.E. Hanger in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt, CP, has become..
Stroke survivors often experience walking asymmetry, where 1 step is shorter than the other. Now, new research from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst pushes forward the bounds of stroke recovery with a unique, portable robotic hip exoskeleton. Their work reveals that the robotic hip exoskeleton has the potential to effectively train individuals to modify their…
Hanger, Inc., Austin, TX, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) consulting firm O&P Insight, Las Vegas, NV. “O&P Insight is uniquely focused on helping O&P businesses run profitable and compliant business operations, and brings an incredible amount of credibility, talent, and value,” said Pete Stoy, Hanger’s CEO.
An electronic sock that detects an unhealthy walking style linked with diabetes and poor circulation shows promise for preventing foot ulcers and amputation. “Patients with diabetes tend to put pressure on the metatarsal area of the foot, rather than the heel,” said researcher Ki Hong Lee, PhD, of Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea. “This way of walking encourages ulcers…
Medtech innovator Bone Health Technologies (BHT), Redwood City, CA, recently announced the company has been awarded a 5th patent for Osteoboost—the 1st and only US Food & Drug Administration–cleared prescription medical device to treat osteopenia. The patent, titled ‘Wearable Apparatus for the Treatment or Prevention of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis…
Researchers are working on real-life robotic assistance that could protect workers from painful injuries and help stroke patients regain their mobility. So far, they have required extensive calibration and context-specific tuning, which keeps them largely limited to research labs. Mechanical engineers at Georgia Institute of Technology may be on the verge of changing that, allowing exoskeleton…
New research from Binghamton University, State University of New York, aims to cut reaction times with a human action recognition (HAR) algorithm that uses local computing power to analyze sensor data and detect abnormal movements without transmitting to a processing center offsite. Professor Yu Chen, PhD, and PhD student Han Sun from the Thomas J. Watson College…
A research team led by Professor Sang-hoon Lee at the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology. South Korea, has successfully developed an imperceptive surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor. The sensor is crucial in allowing people with lower limb amputations to control robotic prosthetic legs as…
JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, a member publication of the University of Toronto is a new venue for publishing interdisciplinary research on the development, implementation, and evaluation of health innovations and emerging technologies in the field of rehabilitation, with a focus on pragmatic yet rigorous and impactful science.
Using wearable sensors and advanced machine learning algorithms, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science have developed a novel approach that addresses a crucial gap in balance assessment and sets a new benchmark in the application of wearable technology and machine learning in healthcare.
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