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Prosthetic Leg Design by Joanna Hawley

TheFuture — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:55:06 +0000

When you think of prosthetics, our mind most likely will gave us the impression of lack in humanity, grace, and style. This product has an image of an uncomfortable landing gear which might gives the wearer an unpleasant feeling of comfort. This Eames-inspired prosthetic leg by Joanna Hawley is surprisingly made of high quality materials which offers a stylish, and iconic balanced prosthetics both positively and negatively. Based on years of survey on the disabled community and supported by the research and design from several different color specialists and 3D laser professionals, this product has been invented. A product with a focus on the human body adaptability indeed.

Designer : Joanna Hawley

Immaculate Explores New Possibilities for Prosthetic Devices

TheFuture — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:45:25 +0000

One of the best innovations that has happened is the invention of prosthetic limbs which has given a new dimension and hope to those who have lost their limbs due to an accident or other reasons. Today advances in the medical field have ensured that these extensions look very much like the human skin. But that’s also a disadvantage to look at as some may feel reveled by touching it, hence immaculate is a concept that ensures that it is as much a part of the body as it is connected to the central nervous system and responds to desired actions. A nice and humane innovation must say.

Text from Hans :
Immaculate is a concept that explores new possibilities for prosthetic devices. It aims to question the strive for normality and imitation in prosthetics, and instead attempts to incorporate identity and new functionality. Immaculate means flawless, and reflects on the amputee not being less of a person.

As of today prosthetics are technological skeletons covered in silicone. They imitate the look of a natural arm perfectly, but as soon as someone touches it one realize it’s a prosthetic. The consequence is then a phenomenon researchers call “The Uncanny Valley”, whereas something is so lifelike the realization of it being artificial leads to shock and revulsion.

To avoid this, and to promote the interests of the prosthetic users I want to apply the same philosophy used in eyewear. These support products have gone from being purely functional to become objects of fashion and identity. Furthermore it turns it into an object of beauty instead of a technological object masquerading as a natural arm.

Immaculate is a neurological prosthetic, connected to the users central nervous system. The exterior of the prosthetic is textile clad in Corian plates. The Corian allows embedded technology to be seamlessly integrated, and in union with the textile gives the prosthetic a clear graphical identity. Each joint is a globe joint, allowing a larger freedom of movement than a normal human arm.

Instead of imitating the ordinary Immaculate strives for the extraordinary.

Designer : Hans Alexander Huseklepp

Tag Heuer Prosthetic Leg by Koo Ho Shin

TheFuture — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 10:24:31 +0000

The idea of new prosthetic started from people’s perception of prosthetic legs; both the amputees and “spectators: which is a sad reality but true”. Prosthetic has been developed based on the understanding of body anatomy and movement, but since it neglects the lifestyle, satisfaction, or personality of the amputee, this vital device for human activity still remains in a stage of “a landing gear”, or sometimes C3PO or Robo-cop.

The social acceptance is based on how much the prosthetic resembles human leg, but there hasn’t been any active movement to bring prosthetic leg from a utilitarian gear to a highly fashionable accessory that reflects the amputee’s taste, possibly a prosthetic that he/she want to show off, and don’t have to bear with people looking at them pathetically anymore.

The demand of prosthetic leg could go higher due to accidents, wars, and mostly, aggressive increase of type 2 Child diabetes, which is unfortunate but opens more possibilities to enable personalized mass manufacturing. Therefore, this prosthetic concept is designed around the 3D scanned data of the real person’s leg; Once the real leg is scanned, the data can be modified according to the condition of the limb, which makes the prosthetic “my leg”.Tag Heuer, co-brand company of this prosthetic design which has sporty, bold but elegant high-end products, has a long history of preciseness and accuracy, and has been a great sponsor for various sports activities. The design follows how we see a watch; usually hidden behind the sleeves but reveals and shines occasionally when he/she moves. This prosthetic Tag Heuer’s bold taste, but still hides the complex detail mechanism.

Designer : Koo Ho Shin

Trias Prosthetic Foot from Otto Bock

TheFuture — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:08:22 +0000

It’s a great news for persons with amputations, trias has design a prosthetic foot that not just offer excellent gait characteristics(energy-saving rollover, improved gait symmetry), reduce the loads on the amputee’s contralateral limb, but also comes with extraordinary look. As our ever-changing world becomes more complex and more dynamic, it is especially important for persons with amputations to be able to live a balanced, self-determined life of fulfilment. The use of a functional and comfortable prosthetic system is an essential contributor to the happiness and well-being of persons with disabilities. In the area of prosthetic feet, Otto Bock?s 1C30 Trias represents an ideal solution to meet these critical needs. The Trias is a synthesis of creative, modern design realised in a lightweight and efficient construction. The foot was developed by an intercultural and interdisciplinary project team using patient requirements and customer needs as a basis for their work. Hopefully this product can help the one who need it.

Source : Otto Bock