Published: 10:41AM Tuesday June 09, 2015 Source: AP
Austrian scientists in Vienna have unveiled the first prosthetic leg that can feel.
Showcasing his invention, Professor Hubert Egger explained how the leg works using a technique called "targeted sensory reinnervation".
According to Egger, artificial sensors are integrated in the sole, which measures contact with the ground.
The sensors then forward the rolling movement of the foot to the brain which perceives how the foot feels on the body.
The patient can use the prosthesis just like a regular artificial leg.
No lengthy process or trip to the hospital is required if the user wants to remove the prosthesis for the night.
Wolfgang Rangger is the first patient to live with the new prosthesis.
The former teacher had his right leg amputated after suffering from a stroke in 2007.
Now he feels ready to take on his old job again.
Another benefit of the new prosthesis is that it almost completely takes away the phantom pain from Rangger's lost leg.
After resorting to heavy painkillers for years, Rangger is now completely pain-free.
The team around Professor Egger hopes the price for the new prosthesis will come down as production and demand go up.
Copyright © 2015, Television New Zealand Limited. Breaking and Daily News, Sport & Weather | TV ONE, TV2 | Ondemand
Austrian scientists in Vienna have unveiled the first prosthetic leg that can feel.
Showcasing his invention, Professor Hubert Egger explained how the leg works using a technique called "targeted sensory reinnervation".
According to Egger, artificial sensors are integrated in the sole, which measures contact with the ground.
The sensors then forward the rolling movement of the foot to the brain which perceives how the foot feels on the body.
The patient can use the prosthesis just like a regular artificial leg.
No lengthy process or trip to the hospital is required if the user wants to remove the prosthesis for the night.
Wolfgang Rangger is the first patient to live with the new prosthesis.
The former teacher had his right leg amputated after suffering from a stroke in 2007.
Now he feels ready to take on his old job again.
Another benefit of the new prosthesis is that it almost completely takes away the phantom pain from Rangger's lost leg.
After resorting to heavy painkillers for years, Rangger is now completely pain-free.
The team around Professor Egger hopes the price for the new prosthesis will come down as production and demand go up.
Copyright © 2015, Television New Zealand Limited. Breaking and Daily News, Sport & Weather | TV ONE, TV2 | Ondemand
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