Oct 2, 2008 5:46 pm US/Eastern
Embracing The Artificial Limb With Chip Technology
The C-Leg Can Be Customized To Work With A Wearer's Movement Idiosyncrasies
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The idea for marrying an artificial limb to the human body through the command of a computer chip is a reality. There are some prostheses currently on the market - the programmable C-Leg, for example - that uses such chip technology.
It may seem like something out of a science-fiction movie, but an artificial leg controlled by a computer chip became real for a South Floridian.
"If you want to carry groceries, or your child, or go to work, these are things we take for granted when you have two legs," said Terri Sparber-Bukacheski of
Ortho Pro Associates in Miami.
She fitted Raquel for the C-leg.
Raquel Gil took a huge step forward, actually, many steps forward thanks to the new prosthetic C-leg. "I haven't felt like that in a long time," Raquel said.
Like some other prosthetics, the C-legs are made of carbon fiber, so they're light and strong. But C-legs are more versatile because of a series of microprocessors that control movements like knee angle and foot load, 50 times per second.
Raquel said it was a lot of work to walk on her old prosthetics, even embarrassing at times. But with the C-legs she just feels - normal. "With these I feel secure. I don't even look down, cause I know they're going to catch me," Raquel said.
The C-leg can cost as much as $45,000, so it is more expensive than prosthetics without microprocessors.
But more insurance companies are starting to pay for the C-leg, because studies show people with the C-leg have a better quality of life, and some say the C-leg could lead to fewer falls, and complications.
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