The XXI Centery has brought countless breakthroughs in technology. Some of which come from the field of bionics. Which has made possible for people with physical disabilities to perform tasks they believed to be impossible up until not long ago. In the following post, am I going to expand on my views on the aforesaid field and break down the basics.
Bionics is, in simple terms, biologically inspired engineering. In other words, the development of highly advanced pieces of technology to be integrated with different parts of the human body. This also includes the replacement of organs. Moreover, bionic implants differ from standard prostheses by mimicking the original function closely. Thus, the reason why they surpass the traditional ones in almost every single aspect. Not to metion that in order to mimick organic limbs, bionic limbs are capable of receiving commands from the nervous system itself. Case in point, the creation of a bionic arm in 2016 by Dr. Meyer. From Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany. It was named "The iLimb". The built-in pressure sensors it possesses allows it to detect the shape of held objects. Needless to say, its grip technology allows it to perform everyday tasks such as tying your shoelaces.
Be that as it may, the aforementioned bionic limb was improved upon even by Dr. Ortiz-Catalan from Sweden's Chalmers University. He made "osseointegrated" bionic arms. Which are directly connected into the bones, nerves and muscle tissue. Ultimetaly providing more control and flexibility to users.
Notwithstanding, bionic limbs are not the only technology that has been able to be developed by scientists. In 2012 Dr. Ashworth became the first person in Australia to receive a bionic eye implant. Even though the implants had to be removed later on due to it still being at a testing stage, Dr. Ashworth received a tremendous joy from the experience. They were developed by "Bionic Vision Australia", and installed at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. During the operation a silicon chip was attached to the back of the patient's eye. The chip was connected by wires to the side of the patient's head. Another impressive case without a doubt is the creation of a mind-control exoskeleton by the Walk Again Project. It was first used by a 29 year old paraplegic Brazilian man. Julio Pinto. He was invited to the 2014 Soccer World Cup in Brazil to kick off the first game. A breakthrough which undoubtedly transcended disability by far.
In summary, there are several other cases which have inspired many people. Apart from providing scientists with the tools to keep innovating. Hence, making the lives of more patients with disability progressively better. 3D printing technology has been one of the means through which medicine and engineering experts have been able to replicate some organs for instance. The possibilities of improvement are endless. To illustrate my point, let me briefly explain what MIT Professor Hugh Herr was able to do. He designed and created bionic legs which had a high level of functionality and were capable of attenuating the shock of a limb hitting the ground, among others. Such as allowing him to even run, jump and climb. We are only scratching the surface.
Sources:
- Cambridge English Dictionary.
- TedEd YouTube Channel.
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