INTEGRA Biosciences’ Post

Below-Knee Socket Designs : Where Biomechanics Meets Humanity Recently, while preparing for an interview, I came across something that reminded me why I love this field. It’s fascinating how much science, creativity, and empathy go into shaping something as “simple” as a prosthetic socket. The Patellar Tendon Bearing (PTB) socket, for example, strategically applies pressure at specific areas to enhance stability and comfort. The Total Surface Bearing (TSB) design distributes pressure evenly across the residual limb, offering a more natural, cushioned fit. Then there’s the Hydrostatic design, which although I haven’t seen in use, uses fluid dynamics to improve suspension and reduce high-pressure zones. Each design represents a different philosophy of care but all share one goal: helping amputees move with comfort, confidence, and dignity. That’s what makes prosthetics so interesting to me. It’s not just about replacing what was lost; it’s about redesigning mobility through understanding, innovation, and heart. Photo credit: Physiopedia #Prosthetics #Orthotics #Rehabilitation #Transtibial #Innovation #Healthcare #EmpathyInEngineering

🚨 New Publication 🚨 I’m excited to share our latest paper, “A Biomechanical Analysis of Weighted Lifting With an Active Knee Exoskeleton,” just published in IEEE ACCESS. Manual material handlers—people who #lift and #move objects for a living—experience some of the highest rates of #workplace #injuries, often due to musculoskeletal strain. While #exoskeletons have been proposed as a solution, most prior studies focused on back support and lacked detailed biomechanical analysis at the joint level. This study presents the first comprehensive motion-capture and electromyography study of powered knee exoskeletons during lifting tasks. With rigorous measurements of joint torques, powers, and muscle activity, we found that: 🔹 Peak quadriceps activation decreased by ~30% with the exoskeleton. 🔹 Biological knee torque was reduced by over 50%. 🔹 Importantly, assistance at the knees also reduced effort at the ankles—without shifting strain to the hips or back. These results show that powered knee exoskeletons can help #workers maintain safer, knee-centric lifting strategies while reducing fatigue and injury risk. Beyond advancing fundamental science, our work points toward a future where exoskeletons may become #protective #equipment for workers, much like helmets and gloves today. Congratulations to the whole team! Margaret Meagher Grace Hunt Brendon Ortolano Lukas Gabert Bo Foreman Link to the open-access study in the comments! University of Utah John and Marcia Price College of Engineering University of Utah Robotics Center University of Utah Research The Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH)

🚨 SoftFoot: The Prosthetic Foot That Changes Lives 🚨 ✅✅ Every year, nearly 110,000 lower limb amputations occur in the U.S., and millions worldwide live with limb loss. In these moments, mobility and comfort matter more than ever⏳ But what if there was a prosthetic foot that mimics the natural human foot perfectly, offering strength, flexibility, and balance without motors or complex software? 🦶🦶 Introducing SoftFoot Pro by IIT and the University of Pisa🛠️ This revolutionary prosthetic uses biomimicry to replicate how a real foot moves and adapts to terrain. 🔹 Built-in Windlass Mechanism: Stores and releases energy like a natural foot for smooth walking. 🔹 Terrain-Adaptive: Flexes and conforms to uneven surfaces for stability and comfort. 🔹 Lightweight & Strong: Supports up to 100kg with advanced materials. 🔹 Purely Mechanical Intelligence: Smart design that behaves like a foot, no electronics needed. 🚀 Innovation here means restoring natural movement and independence to millions, bridging nature and technology seamlessly 💭 Could this life changing prosthetic redefine mobility for you or someone you know? Let’s talk in the comments👇 —————————————— 🧠❗ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 👉Muhammet Furkan Bolakar and 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗹 🔔 for more updates on how #robotics, #automation and #science are shaping the future. ♻️Robot Technology: RoboSapienss ♻️Science Biology: Mr.Biyolog 📊Digital Marketing: Bignite Digital —————————————— Florian Palatini Christine Raibaldi Christian Kampf 康可安 💊 #MedicalInnovation #Prosthetics #Biomimicry #MobilityTech #FutureOfHealth #Health

Here’s a diagram of a simple biomechanics analysis, showing how forces within your body are much higher than you may think. In this case holding 5 kg ball (11 lbs) requires 59 kg (130 lbs) of muscle pull. (If you are interested in developing more usable and inclusive products, or have a design team wanting to learn more, let me know.) https://lnkd.in/dYQyknmd #inclusivedesign #productdesign #designforall #accessibility #biomechanics #designeducation #design

In orthotic design, small details 🔍 can have a big impact—especially when it comes to rectification. This is the process of modifying a 3D scan or cast to improve fit and function before fabrication. Whether you're starting from a limb scan or a plaster mold, the approach needs to be precise. Digital workflows, like the one @Leoshape offers, allow clinicians to: 🔸 Clean and smooth raw scan data 🔸 Align and adjust posture (toe spring, SVA, dorsiflexion/plantarflexion) 🔸 Define trimlines and shape the orthosis 🔸 Add reliefs and custom biomechanical features It’s fascinating how technology now lets us fine-tune every millimeter with consistency and control. I hope to see this approach become more widely adopted!

Choosing the Right Prosthetic Arm 🤖💪 Did you know that not all prosthetic arms are the same? From body-powered to high-tech myoelectric options, each design offers different levels of mobility, control, and customization to fit unique lifestyles. Here’s a breakdown of prosthetic arm variations: ✔ Body-Powered: Durable, cable-driven, and budget-friendly ✔ Myoelectric: Uses muscle signals for precision & natural movement ✔ Passive: Aesthetic-focused, great for balance & cosmetic appeal ✔ High-Tech Innovations: AI, sensory feedback, & smart adaptive movements 💡 Understanding your options helps you choose the best fit for your needs. Discover the latest advancements in prosthetic arms and how they can improve mobility in our latest blog! 🔗 Read More: https://lnkd.in/g8UrEx2m #Prosthetics #ProstheticArms #AdaptiveTech #Myoelectric #BodyPowered #HortonsOandP #MobilityMatters

The forces at work within your body during a simple movement can be surprising. For example, the act of moving from sitting to standing. We naturally lean forward for momentum and efficiency. This diagram shows why. Maintaining an upright torso as shown here would demand excessive pull from your quadriceps. Instead, leaning forward reduces the pull forces while maintaining your balance. It also reduces the corresponding pressure on your knee joints. It underscores why body position and weight play such a crucial role in mobility, and why understanding biomechanics will help efforts to design for performance and to design for people inclusively. (This intentionally simple illustration was created for an upcoming presentation, part of an introduction to biomechanics.) https://lnkd.in/dYQyknmd #inclusivedesign  #productdesign  #industrialdesign #designforall  #accessibility  #biomechanics  #designeducation  #design

Sputtering Method in Product Aesthetic “Ever wondered how products get that premium glow—and keep it under stress?” “It’s the magic of sputtering, a vacuum process where ions knock atoms from a target and land them as an ultra-thin, precise film. With ion-beam-assisted deposition, we nudge atoms into alignment, building biaxially textured layers on flexible foils—even using reel-to-reel lines for true scalability. In magnetron sputtering, we tune the angle, pressure, power, and oxygen to sculpt the nanostructure. Oblique angles create porous TiO₂ columns for active surfaces; higher pressure softens density for a satin look; and a smart anneal flips TiO₂ into anatase for clarity, color, and performance.” “The result? Aesthetics with purpose. Golden TiN trims that resist wear, colored photovoltaic glass that stays efficient, chromium on polymers for sleek durability, and biomedical coatings that are kind to the body. Vapor deposition doesn’t just change how things look—it engineers how they live, shine, and last.”

That is the reasons for don't use checklist in ergonomics : The Bernstein's Principle of Function Over Form (The Task Goal is Primary) Movement is organized around achieving a specific task goal (e.g., reaching a cup, kicking a ball), not around activating specific muscles. The same muscular pattern can achieve different goals, and different patterns can achieve the same goal. For researchers: Define and analyze movement relative to the functional task and its outcome, not just the kinematics or muscle activation patterns in isolation.

Hi folks. Conventional refreshable Braille displays are often heavy, expensive, and fragile. Researchers at Cornell and Technion have a radical new approach that's worth a look. 🔥 🔹𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵: They're using microscale combustion (tiny, sealed explosions of butane/oxygen 💥) to actuate soft silicone membranes, creating the Braille dots. 🔹𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: The system is monolithic and sealed 🛡️, making it robust against environmental contaminants. It boasts a blistering 0.24ms response time ⚡ and is bi-stable, meaning the dots stay raised without consuming power. 🔹𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: This enables multi-line, high-resolution tactile output 👆, a significant step beyond single-line scrolling displays, opening the door to tactile graphics and more efficient reading. This is a fantastic example of rethinking a fundamental technology from the actuator up, rather than just miniaturizing existing components. What's the bigger hurdle for adoption: long-term fuel cycling 🔁 or public perception of "combustion" in a device? 🤔 Read the full news at https://cstu.io/5393db and let's discuss! #EmbeddedSystems #TactileFeedback #BrailleTech #Innovation