Jump to content
RemedySpot.com

Polymer May Allow Soldiers With Artificial Limbs To Feel Heat, Cold, Touch

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

Polymer May Allow Soldiers With Artificial Limbs To Feel Heat, Cold, Touch

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025194629.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 26, 2009) — Current prosthetics may look natural, but they're

still primitive -- offering patients no real neurological control other than

opening or closing their hand. But for U.S. soldiers who have lost arms and

hands in the battlefield, two new studies may bring " real " feeling to artificial

limbs.

Physicians at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery

2009 conference Oct. 23-27, in Seattle, reveal they have discovered an

electrically conducting molecule or polymer (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene or

PEDOT) that helps stimulate and grow new nerve fibers in severed nerves of

amputees. Stimulating and growing nerve fibers are one of the first steps in

providing amputees more neurologic control over their prosthetics.

The research, conducted through a $5.5 million U.S. Department of Defense grant,

may give amputees the ability to move fingers independently, apply the

appropriate amount of pressure to objects to better grab and lift something as

delicate as Styrofoam cup, and feel sensation.

In one study, plastic surgeons may have found a way to successfully grow new

nerve fibers, after they've been severed due to injury, through the electrically

conducting PEDOT polymer. PEDOT functions similar to a wire. In the study, the

PEDOT was placed in a tube, along with other biologic and synthetic materials,

and grafted into the severed leg nerve of a rat. New nerve fibers grew and took

over function for the dead or dysfunctional severed nerve springing targeted

muscles to life.

In another study, plastic surgeons designed a cup containing cells and muscle

that fits around the severed leg nerve of a rat. The PEDOT polymer was wrapped

around all of the cells and muscle in the cup to provide an electrical charge.

Tests were conducted 114 days after the procedure. The study found new muscle

and blood vessels formed, nerve fibers sprouted, and muscle fibers started

compensating for lost nerves. After tickling the rat's paw, doctors' were able

to pick up electrical signals indicating sensation had returned.

Nearly 5 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed in

2008, up 7 percent from 2007, reports the ASPS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...