The document discusses biomedical technologies that help people who are unable to stand, walk, run, or hold objects on their own. It outlines technologies like prosthetic limbs, orthoses, functional electrical stimulation, microprocessor-controlled limbs, and powered wheelchairs that improve mobility and independence. Emerging areas discussed include osseointegration, artificial intelligence, thought-controlled prosthetics, 3D printing, soft wearable robots, and biosensors that will continue to advance assistive technologies. The author concludes that such advances in prosthetics and orthotics not only help individuals but also strengthen society by enabling more people to contribute.

1. Conclusion – The above described biomedical technologies are enabling the patient who are unable to
stand, walk, run, hold, write on their own. The advancements like these in the field of P&O are not only
contributing in strengthening the human resource thereby creating the new room for the further
developments in our field.
ROLE OF BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN
PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS
Priyanka Rawat, Rohan Gupta
priyankarawat83a@gmail.com,
rohan14gupta@gmail.com
Final Year, Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for the Persons with Physical Disabilities (Divyangjan)
(Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities) Under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India
[Affiliated to University of Delhi] 4, Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi 110002
Background - More than 1 billion persons in the world have some form disability. This corresponds to
about 15% of the world population. Biomedical technology plays a crucial role in sustaining health. From
small innovations like adhesive & ankle braces to complex prosthetic limbs& orthotic devices has
undoubtedly made an incredible impact.
Prosthesis : devices
that replace human
limbs lost through
accident, illness,
congenital conditions
Orthosis : an external
appliance used to
support, align, prevent,
or correct deformities or
to improve functions of
movable parts of body
Researchers are exploring new
approaches to designing
prosthetic hands capable of
providing "sensory feedback.“
‘Nerve Interfaces' May Allow
Feeling in Prosthetic Hands
TOMORROWLAND
DEVELOPMENTS
 Osseointegration: Direct skeletal
attachment of prostheses may be a
routine option for some amputees.
 Artificial
intelligence:
Nerve center: This
seven-millimeter long device,
called a cuff electrode, can
convey feelings from sensors
on a prosthetic hand or fingers
when attached to a peripheral
nerve in the arm stump.
Not only do the limbs
move in a natural way and
provide the strength to
climb stairs foot over foot,
they learn the user’s gait.
Overtime, the bionic
limbs will know how
you walk better than
you do
CURRENT STATUS
In the recent years technical innovations have combined to
make artificial limbs more comfortable, efficient and life like
than earlier.
Microprocessor Technology: C-leg provides
microprocessor control of both the swing and stance phases
of the gait. The revolutionary microprocessor inside receives
feedback from multiple sensors 100 times a second from the
gyroscope and accelerometer.
 FES (functional electrical
stimulation): FES produces contractions
of the muscles via electrical stimulation which
produces the movements of the joint or limb .
FES can be used to produced activity in
muscles that are paralysed or weakened by
paraplegia, cerebral palsy, head injury & spinal
cord injury.
 The powered wheelchairs (EPW): It is propelled
by means of an electric motor. The electric motors of
powerchairs are usually powered by 12 to 80
ampere-hour rechargeable deep- cycle
batteries are used in pairs to give the chair
enough power to last at least one day
Biomechantronics
Biosensors
Mechanical sensors
Controller
Actuator
Human Biology
Inerdisciplinary area of
study that examines human
through the influences and
interplay of many diverse
fields.
Mechanics
Area of science concerned
with the behaviour of physical
bodies when subjected to
forces or displacements &
effects of the bodies on their
environment.
Electronics
which deals with the generation,
distribution, switching, storage,
conversion of electrical energy to
& from other energy forms using
wires, batteries, switches, sensors
etc.
Prosthetic Limb
Powered Orthosis
EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES
 3-d Printing or Addictive Manufacturing
(AM): A digital models turned into solid 3 –
dimensional object by adding material layer by layer.
 Soft Wearable Robot: Exo-glove poly actuates
both fingers in the flexion & extension direction
using a tendon driven actuator. This helps the patient
suffering from spinal cord injuries, strokes, cerebral
palsy and other disabilities.
Thought Controlled
Prosthetic Limbs: It operates
using Implanted MyoElectric
Sensors (IMES) that are actually
embedded in muscles to send
signals from the user’s brain to
the prosthesis’ computer.