For Army Amputee, 2 Steps Forward
By Davenport, Christian; Washington Post,Publication Date: April 17, 2009
News article describes the Power Knee, a battery-powered prosthetic leg with embedded sensors that help correct missteps. The Power Knee was demonstrated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with its first user, an Army veteran who lost both of his legs after being wounded in Iraq. The new prosthetic is lighter, more stable, and quieter than its predecessors. The prosthetist working with the veteran during his rehabilitation can wirelessly “log in” to the knees to find out whether the wearer’s gait is symmetrical, how long his strides are, and whether he is walking up or down hill and, with that information, adjust their settings. A built-in odometer tracks the length walked during any given time period. The article includes the link to a video showing the veteran training with his new prosthetic limbs, first with the aid of an overhead harness to protect him from falls, then using two canes for support, striding around a track at an average of 80 steps a minute.
Assistive Products Discussed: POWER KNEE
Published by: Washington Post Company (Website:http://www.washpostco.com)
Link to text: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/04/16/ST2009041604735.html
Link to video: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/04/16/VI2009041604733.html?sid=ST2009041604735
