Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYclQUtf3d/The bioengineering wizards at MIT’s Yang Center for Bionics have developed the most advanced prosthesis for above-knee amputees.  Termed the osseointegrated mechanoneural prosthesis or OMP, it combines a sophisticated bionic knee with a titanium implant in the femur and connections into the wearer’s thigh muscles and nervous system permitting thought control of the units motions.The clinical trial participants using the OMP walked faster, climbed stairs more readily, and were able to avoid obstacles better than those using more conventional prostheses. Users also reported that their limb felt like a part of their body due to improved sensory feedback.This prosthesis represents a new level of integration between human and machine.  Fitting with this prosthesis requires special surgical considerations at the time of amputation.Further refinements and clinical trials lie ahead, and the developers expect this cutting edge prosthesis will be widely available in abo