1. Evolution of Prosthetics
By: Jay Patel
BME 181
Professor Ming Liu

2. What Are Prosthetics?
Prosthetics are artificial limbs or body parts, that replace missing or malfunctioning body parts
Most common prosthesis are the leg and arm, and more recently also heart valves

3. Prosthetic Leg & Arm

4. The Beginning
Around 1500 B.C. was the time when “prosthetics” were “engineered”
Were not functional
Only purpose was to help with movement
Were generally made of wood

5. The Push Towards Modern Prosthetics
In the mid 1800s, Sir James Syme discovered a way to amputate at the thigh
This meant that there was a possibility of walking again
Both World Wars were key in the developmental progress of prosthetics
Parts used in prosthetics were introduced from various fields

6. Design Breakthroughs
In the early 1800s, James Potts designed the first wooden functional prosthetic foot, which was controlled by tendons from the knee to the foot
In the mid 1900s, prosthetics now had a endo-skeletal design instead of a exo-skeletal
This allowed the hard shell-like exterior to be replaced with a foam cover, so the weight and force was applied to the ‘core’ of the prosthetic rather than the exterior

7. Evolution

8. Basic Prosthetics Today
Cosmetic Prosthetics ($) 1– Generally for upper limb amputation, low to no functionality, made from PVC or silicone
Body-Powered Prosthetics ($$) 2– Generally for upper limb amputation, limited amount of functionality provided by muscles in the relative area

9. Myoelectric Prosthesis
Are more complex then some of the other prosthesis on the market
Can reach over the head, down by the feet, and out to the sides of the body
Many tests must be conducted to make sure it is suitable
Internal Components: electrodes, battery pack, control unit (processing), motors, and sensors

10. Myoelectric Prosthesis
Is an externally powered prosthesis that uses electromyography (EMG) signals from voluntarily contracted muscles in the residual limb for movement
Electrode sensors are embedded in the prosthetic’s socket to make contact with the surface of the skin

11. Things to Consider
Functional prosthetics are available, however there is a still room for improvement
There is a high cost for fully functional prosthesis
Human vs. machine – where is the line drawn?

12. References
Gutfleisch, O. (2003). Peg Legs and Bionic Limbs: The Development of Lower Extremity Prosthetics. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 28(2),
Lam, S. (n.d.). Types of Prosthesis. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Myoelectric Prosthesis website:
Norton, K. M. (2007, November/December). A Brief History of Prosthetics. inMotion, 17(7). Retrieved from coalition.org/inmotion/nov_dec_07/history_prosthetics.html
Peerdeman, B., Boere, D., Witteveen, H., Huis in't Veld, R., Hermens, H., Stramigioli, S., Misra, S. (n.d.). Myoelectric Forearm Prostheses: State of the Art From A User- centered Perspective. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 48(6), doi: /JRRD
Prosthetics of Future Will Mesh Body, Mind and Machine. (2005, October 26). Retrieved March 21, 2013, from United States Department of Veterans Affairs website:
Wikipedia. March 23, 2013.
Google Images. March 21, 2013.

13. The End