human-prosthesis interface

Getting the best out of a prosthesis is about getting it to move with the skeleton bone of the residual limb. This is normally hindered in various degrees by soft tissue, and thus a lot of research has gone into prosthetic suspension.

One of the more radical solutions is osseointergration, which involves embedding a titanium pin in the distal skeletal stump, protruding through the skin. The prosthesis is then clicked on to the pin, for maximum transfer of power from skeleton to prosthesis. Though sound in theory, the procedure is associated with risk of infection to the bone marrow, where the immune system has trouble fighting it due to limited blod supply.

British scientists has given the procedure a second go, and come up with a solution, inspired by deer antlers. Though the risk of infection is still there, it has been reduced:

'Bionic' limb breakthrough made