How prosthetics went from peg legs to biolimbs

Summary

Scientists have made a groundbreaking advancement in prosthetics by growing a rat leg from bone and collagen in a petri dish, a development that could revolutionize prosthetics in the future. Prosthetics have evolved from basic wood and metal models to advanced devices that mimic or exceed the function of natural limbs. Innovations like the Cheetah blades for running, bebionic hands with controllable grips, and mind-controlled prosthetics are leading the way. Though creating human limbs like this is still a decade away, the progress from crude prosthetics to high-tech devices is accelerating rapidly, bringing us closer to science fiction-like advancements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scientists have successfully grown a rat leg from bone and collagen in a petri dish, potentially revolutionizing prosthetics.
• 😀 Prosthetics have evolved from simple wooden or metal limbs to advanced devices that mimic or exceed the functionality of natural limbs.
• 😀 The early models of advanced prosthetics include Cheetah blades, which harness and release energy like springs to aid in movement.
• 😀 Oscar Pistorius used Cheetah blades to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics, showcasing the progress in prosthetic technology.
• 😀 Prosthetics are now being designed for extreme sports, such as mountain biking and skiing, further expanding their use.
• 😀 Bebionic, also known as the 'Terminator' hand, allows users to control different grips and gestures through muscle flexing.
• 😀 The next frontier in prosthetics involves mind-controlled devices, which use electrodes implanted in the brain to activate specific movements.
• 😀 Massachusetts General Hospital doctors refer to the rat leg as a 'biolimb,' signaling advancements in biological prosthetics.
• 😀 It may take at least a decade before similar prosthetic technology is available for human arms.
• 😀 In less than a century, prosthetic technology has advanced dramatically, from basic artificial limbs to high-tech solutions inspired by science fiction characters like Jaime Lannister and Luke Skywalker.

Q & A

What is the significance of the rat leg grown in a petri dish?

The rat leg grown in a petri dish is significant because it represents a major breakthrough in prosthetics, potentially changing how prosthetic limbs are developed in the future by using biological tissue, such as bone and collagen, rather than synthetic materials.

How were prosthetics viewed historically, and how has that changed?

Historically, prosthetics were primarily simple wooden or metal devices that were shaped to resemble human limbs, though they often did not function like them. Today, prosthetics are more advanced, designed to replicate or even exceed the functionality of natural limbs.

What role did Aimee Mullins play in the advancement of prosthetics?

Aimee Mullins helped advance prosthetic technology by wearing Cheetah blades, made from carbon fiber, to compete in track and field at the NCAA level. These blades were designed to harness and release energy with each step, allowing for greater performance in sports.

What are Cheetah blades, and why are they important?

Cheetah blades are prosthetic limbs made from carbon fiber that work like springs, storing and releasing energy with each step. They are important because they allow for a more natural movement and performance in athletic settings, revolutionizing prosthetics for high-performance athletes.

What other types of prosthetics have been developed for extreme sports?

In addition to Cheetah blades, prosthetics have been developed for extreme sports such as mountain biking and skiing. These specialized prosthetic legs are designed to withstand the intense demands of these activities.

What is the 'Terminator' hand, and how does it function?

The 'Terminator' hand, also known as bebionic, is a prosthetic hand that can perform different grips and gestures controlled by the flexing of the forearm muscles. It offers greater versatility and functionality for users compared to traditional prosthetic hands.

What is the next frontier in prosthetics?

The next frontier in prosthetics is creating devices that can be controlled directly by the user's mind. This involves the use of electrodes implanted in the brain, which allow users to activate specific brain areas corresponding to particular movements.

How do mind-controlled prosthetics work?

Mind-controlled prosthetics work by using electrodes implanted in the brain. Users can train their brains to activate specific areas that correspond to particular movements, allowing them to control prosthetic limbs with their thoughts.

What is a 'biolimb' as mentioned in the transcript?

A 'biolimb' refers to a prosthetic limb that is created using biological tissue, such as bone and collagen, instead of traditional synthetic materials. The rat arm developed in the experiment is an example of a biolimb.

How long until human biolimbs may become a reality?

According to the doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, it may take at least a decade before human biolimbs, like the rat arm, can be developed and used on humans.