Why are bionic prostheses the best rehabilitation option for amputees at the moment?
Amputations are desperate measures, done in order to save a victim of maybe cancer, or maybe an accident. The extremely optimized human body refuses to live like before post-amputation. The loss of function renders an amputee completely incapable of continuing the struggle for life during the initial days. Only after a fairly long period of acclimatization. The brain and the body sometimes outright reject the absence of a limb and continue to propel the body into unwanted dangers.
Physical and mental complications such as lack of body balance, depression, anxiety, and lack of motivation plague an amputee for life. And living with these scars becomes a burden. Prosthetics is perhaps the only rehabilitation option for these patients and is known for being a successful means of doing so. Before the incorporation of bionics prostheses were clumsy and lacked utility, let alone listening to the wielder’s wills. But bionics granted prostheses the power of willful operability. With this little blessing, prosthetics have become a more acceptable means of rehabilitation. Bionics has its demerits as well, but in spite of the limitations, it remains to be formidable and more advancements are on the horizon. Till the emergence of 3D printed organs, bionics will continue to grow both in terms of applications and technology.
How bionics works
A bionic hand prosthesis is controlled by a powerful microcomputer able to translate electromyographic signals into gestures and actions in accordance with the hardware support. The electromyographic signals are generated by the residual muscles of an amputated limb, and the sensors placed in alignment with them, pick up the signals and feed the computer.
Easy to wield
From its inception prosthetics have benefitted from allied disciplines. And the advancements in these fields are being uninterrupted and transmitted to prosthetics. Due to these gifts, modern-day prostheses are lighter, easier to wield, and capable of performing more functions. Today’s prostheses are built by utilizing composite materials with high strength to weight ratio and are significantly easy to live with. In addition to that, The aspect of comfort is also taken care of really well. Superhydrophobic materials are in use for reducing friction and encouraging hygiene. Alongside using silicone elastomers for increasing adaptability and comfort.
Effective rehabilitation
Rehabilitation by a bionic prosthesis is done by utilizing the power of will. A bionic prosthesis can follow the will of the wielder by transcribing the electromyographic signals generated by the residual muscles. Though due to the noninvasive nature of sensor placement, these prostheses fail to feed the brain with sensory information but the actions they can perform are quantitatively adequate. Packed with good hardware and a powerful computer, a bionic prosthesis can reduce the frustrations of not being able to perform the usual tasks.
Bionic prostheses ensure an empowering experience, and gradually bring back the motivation of coming back to life. Even after complete loss of function due to the intervention by bionics an amputee can at least get back some of the motor capabilities in order to make it through.
And with the emergence of neuromusculoskeletal sensor paradigms, the lack of sensory activity is expected to be compensated effectively soon enough.
Least implementation and training related complications
3D printed organs are the future of post-amputation rehabilitation. Given the advancements in stem cell technology, the time of mass implementation is maybe not far away. But till then, bionics is the best option we have. In order to wield a bionic prosthesis, it is important to go through a rigorous training and incubation period. Additionally, the calibration of a bionic prosthesis takes a long amount of time and requires a certain level of fitness.
But the welding and habituation of a bionic prosthesis are relatively easy hence, coping up with the training session.
The awareness regarding bionics is increasing with each passing day and the affordability is increasing with the increased availability of materials. Additionally, the training session is dedicated to training the wielder regarding the limitations and capabilities of a bionic prosthesis. So that the operability can sustain for a longer duration. Most of the maintenance efforts, essential for keeping a bionic prosthesis functional should be done by the patient or the patient party. And a training and incubation session regarding wielding a bionic prosthesis covers that aspect as well. So that the empowering experience can be sustained by self-sufficient efforts.
