Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Awarded With Popular Science "Best Of What's New Award" For Development in Prosthetics Research
November 11, 2005
CHICAGO - Research led by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) was selected as a Grand Award Winner by Popular Science as the 2005 Best of What's New in the Personal Health category. The Neuro-Controlled Bionic Arm, pioneered by RIC physiatrist Todd Kuiken, MD, PhD, and developed by a team of researchers from around the world, was honored as an innovation that allows an amputee to think about a movement to control his prosthetic arm.
The award celebrates the 100 most impressive advancements in 12 categories with a grand winner in each category.
Kuiken's vision of using nerve transfers for improved control of prostheses allows for simultaneous operation of multiple joints with more natural, intuitive control and greater ease. This research has enabled an individual with shoulder disarticulation amputations the ability to control 6 joints including a powered shoulder, arm rotator, elbow, 2 wrist movement and a hand.
Another component of nerve transfer surgery is the that hand sensation nerves grow into different skin and can provide sensation to amputees so that they feel what they are holding with the prosthesis as if it where in their missing hand. The technique also has the potential to allow control of motorized legs and the ability for amputees to 'feel' the ground they are walking on.
"It's an honor to have this work nationally recognized," said Kuiken. "It's been a labor of love for not only me, but for my team of colleagues from around the world who all contributed to making this idea come to fruition."
In October, Kuiken was presented with the daVinci® Award in Detroit, MI which recognized this research in prosthetics. The Engineering Society of Detroit and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, created the daVinci award as a national recognition to celebrate universal design and technology that benefits people with disabilities.
Additionally, Dr. Kuiken was invited to present his work in the field at the PopTech Conference in Camden, Maine which brings together visionaries from several disciplines and looks at how technology affects people's lives. A native of Twin Falls, Idaho, Kuiken will present his work for the Twin Falls community at the United Methodist Church of Twin Falls, 360 Shoshone St E Twin Falls, ID on Nov. 22 at 7:00p.m.
Learn more about the "Bionic Arm" technology.
About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is dedicated to helping people with all levels and types of physical disabilities regain or improve their physical functions and empowering them to participate more fully in family, social, vocational and leisure time pursuits. The Institute has been ranked the "Best Rehabilitation Hospital in America" by U.S. News & World Report, every year since 1991 and is the first independent rehabilitation hospital in the country to receive the Magnet award for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.ric.org.
Journalists contact: mediarelations@ric.org, 312-238-6044.
All others contact: webmaster@ric.org.
