Biomechanical Engineering

Take me back to the page 'Developments in Engineering'.

Prosthetics - Biomedical Advances in Engineering

Fascinating YouTube Videos about Prosthetics

Introduction

This page will give you an overview of biomechanical engineering, and how this relatively new branch of engineering science could be the next 'frontier' of human-machine evolution.

Prosthetics - Biomedical Advances in Engineering

It is a sad fact that people with disabilities are often unable to carry out many of the basic daily tasks which their able-bodied counterparts, take for granted. This can make life very difficult for them. In addition to the daily hardships of just getting by, sadly they also experience intimidation and prejudice from people who lack sufficient education and are unable to understand or empathise with their condition.

It is a basic 'tenet' (belief) of human beings that we are all created equal. We all have the same rights and responsibilities and we should treat each other equally. An area of engineering which is helping make a difference to people with disabilities is prosthetics.

Prostheses is the collective (plural) term for replacement limbs. These are primarily designed and manufactured for humans but are increasingly being used in very advanced ways for animals too. The following two articles (one an intermediate read, the other an advanced read) go into the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of designing prosthetics. Both articles contains links to other websites and YouTube videos.

This section is relevant to your syllabus as it discusses the integration of bio-mechanics into the human body using sensors and advanced materials.

The Evolution of Prosthetic Limbs - Slideshow

Modern Prosthetic Possibilities

Fascinating YouTube Videos about Prosthetics

The future of prosthetics?

Can prosthetics outperform real limbs?

Synthetic 'Skin'

Scientists at Stanford University in the USA have developed an artificial skin covering which is capable of sensing pressure and then communicating that information to the human brain, replicating the sense of touch.

Cybernetics

Using human-electronic interfaces (connections) to control prosthetic limbs is only one aspect of bio-mechanical engineering. Scientists and engineers are pushing boundaries in all sorts of ways as this quirky American news broadcast shows.