Abstract
Using artificial limbs to restore function for amputees is a concept that dates back
to approximately 700BC. Despite this, attaching artificial limbs to the body remains
clinically challenging, with inadequate mechanical fixation, poor stump-socket fitting
particularly to short residual limbs, friction leading to the development of pressure
sores, infection of the stump soft tissues and sweating often leading to limb disuse.
Eliminating the socket, by directly attaching the artificial limb to the residual
bone through osseointegration transmits forces through the bony skeleton alleviating
the problems associated with the socket. This technology also has the potential to
increase the range of motion of the proximal residual joint particularly with humeral
amputees, permits comfortable sitting, and has been shown to transmit sensory signals
to the bone; so called osseoperception. Osseointegration to attach the exoprosthesis
was introduced by Rickard Brånemark. Infection was the main complication in a cohort
of transfemoral amputees in the United Kingdom being treated using osseointegrated
amputation prostheses. Based on the osseointegration concept we have developed intraosseous
transcutaneous amputation prostheses (ITAP) which attempts to overcome the problems
associated with infection by integrating dermal and epidermal tissues with the implant,
creating a soft tissue seal around the implant. This article is a summary of the research
and development of an implant which is able to seal the skin-implant interface.
Citation
Proceedings of the MEC'11 conference, UNB; 2011.
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