1. Lauren McDonough BME 281 Short Presentation November 28, 2012

2. What is The Cheetah Flex Foot? A prosthetic limb for lower leg amputees Amputations below the knee Can be altered for use by some above the knee amputees Designed for use by athletes Specifically runners Is currently used by many professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes

3. A Brief History Designed by Van L. Phillips He gained interest in created a prosthetic for athletes after loosing his foot in a water skiing accident Developed in 1997 Has not undergone many major changes since The current product is produced by Ossur, a company out of Iceland

4. The Design Designed to mimic the function and reaction of a normal foot and ankle Made of carbon fiber Has the shape of a “J” There is a socket to attach the prosthetic to the remaining part of the leg “When weight [is] applied by landing on the heel, it [is] converted into energy that literally put[s] spring into the step, simulating the spring action of the normal foot and allowing the wearer to run and jump.” (Bio Medicine)

5. Advantages Allows amputee athletes to continue to fully participate in the sports they love Is able to very closely mimic the normal functions of a foot and ankle Is durable Is light weight, made of carbon fiber

6. Disadvantages The controversy surrounding weather the use of The Cheetah Flex Foot gives athletes an unfair advantage over able bodied athletes In 2008 the Court for Arbitration of Sport (CAS) determined that the use of prosthetic limbs in international competition was permitted Extensive studies scientifically proved that athletes gain no unfair advantage from the use of the limb

7. Future Technology used to create prosthetics for use in other sports Technology used to create a prosthetic limb for use in sporting activities by above the knee amputee’s

8. Works Cited “Disabled Athletes in Olympic Games”. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. "Inventor of Ossur's Flex-foot Nominated for European Inventor of the Year 2008." Inventor of Ossur's Flex-foot Nominated for European Inventor of the Year 2008. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. “Ossur Flex-Foot Cheetah." Oscar-pistorius. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.. "Cheetah”. Cheetah. Web. 25 Nov. 2012..

9. Photo Works Cited http://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2012/09/07 /9-superhuman-prosthetic- innovations.fortune/index.html http://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2012/09/07 /9-superhuman-prosthetic- innovations.fortune/index.html http://www.core77.com/gallery/superhuman/26.asp