Prosthetic Limbs Research Paper

What Is It?
Have you ever wondered what life would be like without one of your arms or legs? Many people live their daily lives without the benefit of their arms or legs. They lose these limbs through a congenital defect, accidents, illness, or a wartime injury. Without the functionality of these limbs, certain tasks may be impossible and difficult to accomplish. But with prosthetic limbs (an artificial device that replaces missing arms or legs) it is possible or individuals with a missing limb to perform ordinary, day-to-day activities. Though in may not function like a biological limb, it can provide capabilities to improve the life of the user.

What Is It Made Out Of?
Three basic components of prosthetics limbs are the pylon, the socket, …show more content…
Body-powered prosthesis work by using cables to link the movement of the body to the prosthesis and to control it. Moving the body in a certain way will pull on the cable and cause it to open, close, or bend. An externally powered prosthesis has components that are moved by motors and powered by batteries. The system is controlled by a microprocessor that uses signals from the body to tell the prosthesis what to do. Signals are generated one of two ways: body movement (see input devices below) or, more commonly, electrical signals generated by the wearer's muscles. Myoelectric control is an externally powered artificial limb that is one of the most recent and the most popular way to control prostheses. Myoelectric-controlled prosthesis uses the existing muscles in the residual limb, which naturally generates electrical signals to control its function. Sensors fabricated into the prosthetic socket receives electrical signals which then relay information to a controller which translates the data into commands for the electric motors and moves your joints. Although the myoelectric prosthesis is controlled by natural electricity generated by your own muscles, the system requires a battery to powered motors and

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