Home

The Bionic C Leg

Definition of: bionic
A machine that is patterned after principles found in humans or nature; for example, robots.
Artificial devices implanted into humans replacing or extending normal human functions.




In 1997 Otto Bock of Germany designed the C leg (“C” stands for “computer”) prosthetics for transfemoral (above the knee) amputees. In 1999 patients began using the $50,000 legs with astonishing results. Unlike traditional prosthesis the C leg has a microprocessor with mulitple sensors, lithium ion batteries lasting 40 hours and hydraulic pneumatic controls. Improvments have brought the C Leg some very positive news from CNN, Reader's Digest and others in 2008.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=99S2cVwoKnw

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yoeQrIZt0Ec

The C Leg works by:
foot and ankle force sensors detecting loads,
Angle sensors on the knee joint,
Swing speed sensors,
And a microprocessor (brain) reads these sensors 50 times a second.
The processor takes proprietary algorithms to determine the type of motion. C Leg uses hydraulic stance and swing phase control by regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid in the cylinders. With just a few simple taps of the toe the C-Leg can switch between modes and go from a secure walking knee to a locked knee. The knee anticipates your next move, making it operate more like a central nervous system operates a real leg.
The patient can select between 2 models, 8 feet (LuXon Max, Journey, Axtion, C-Walk, Dynamic Motion, Greissinger Plus, Dynamic, Lo Rider) and the size of the Pylon.
One issue that is simular to a real leg, the C Leg will also go asleep. Wake up the bionic leg by plugging it into its charger.

Future artifical limbs will be controled by "thought".

sources: http://www.ottobockus.com