Artificial means for improving human motion

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Hodgins, Diana

Affiliations: European Technology for Business (ETB) Ltd, Herts, UK

Note: [] Correspondence: Diana Hodgins, European Technology for Business (ETB) Ltd, Codicote Innovation Centre, St Albans Road, Codicote, Herts SG4 8WH, UK; tel +44 1438 822 822; fax +44 1438 822 811; email diana.hodgins@etb.co.uk

Abstract: This paper gives a brief description of some of the key ongoing product developments in Europe for medical implants. A range of medical systems that are currently being developed under European-funded programmes are briefly described. The first is an implant that helps people with ‘dropped foot’ improve their walking. Further research on body-worn inertial measuring systems (IMUs) and microsystems will extend the capabilities to other lower-limb and upper-limb applications in the future. Other medical systems being developed with the use of microsystems and nanotechnology include a system to aid deaf and blind people.

Keywords: medical implant, microsystem, nanotechnology, European funding

DOI: 10.3233/ABB-2004-9693537

Journal: Applied Bionics and Biomechanics, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 131-132, 2004