Something more functional than a pair of crutches
Sometimes the most advanced innovations are rooted in the simplest questions. In this case, the question was, “If we can help a person with no legs to run, why can’t we help a person with an injured leg to walk?” The answer was the Flex Leg.
As a mechanical engineering masters student at Brigham Young University, Mike Sanders pondered that question when staring at a poster of an athlete running with a compliant prosthetic leg. He thought that if we have come so far in the development of prosthetics as to allow amputee athletes to compete in the Olympics, then we should be able to offer injured people something more functional than a pair of crutches.
Sanders took that inspiration, along with his engineering know-how, enlisted the help of engineering colleague Mark Roberts, and got to work on a better mobility device for those with leg injuries. After several prototypes, they developed the Flex Leg that you see here – a prosthetic leg aimed specifically at those with full but injured lower limbs.
The Flex Leg offers several properties that its creators believe make it more functional than other mobility aids. It’s obviously more natural, allowing you to walk like you would without a leg injury, unlike crutches, which put the burden of walking on your upper body. Your hands are also free, so that you can move and work like normal.
via Gizmag – Chris Weissᔥ
Bookmark this page for “mobility assistance” and check back regularly as these articles update on a very frequent basis. The view is set to “news”. Try clicking on “video” and “2” for more articles.
