Orthopedic Technology

Progress in science and technology are widening the horizon of medicine and spreading the purposes of medical care beyond the preventive and curative aspects, towards a more comprehensive type of discipline. In recent years, scientific advances in engineering, biomechanics, technical materials, electricity, anatomy, computer science and robotics have given a great impetus to the development and orthopedic technologies.


Throughout history technological advances have been used to meet essential needs in humans. With these advances we understand the world we live in, the relationship with the environment around us and thus improve our quality of life.
Orthopedics not just about broken bones; spectrum of ailments that question is broader. The orthopedist is an expert in disorders of the musculoskeletal system and its ultimate goals are to relieve pain and improve mobility in patients suffering from trauma, congenital or acquired diseases, as well as chronic degenerative diseases and other conditions.
When it comes to us without delay Technology orthopedic focus on innovative technology that continually presents us in biomaterials and procedures used in the replacements and reconstructions of articular surgery: spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, foot and ankle; without However, within this concept also includes the products, tools, equipment or technical systems used by a person with disabilities, specifically manufactured or available in the market, to prevent, offset, mitigate or neutralize an impairment, disability or handicap and well improve the quality of life of people and facilitate their social integration.
Technological advances can have great impact on a person who is facing an illness or mobility problems, temporarily or permanently, can play a key role in helping patients regain that level of activity enjoyed in the past or to increase their confidence and face with more weapons to a functional disability.
The products and technical systems commonly used in orthopedic patients include a range of devices that allow the posting of those with problems of locomotion or reduced mobility (paraplegia, quadriplegia, or post-surgical pain in both lower limbs). Among these health products for external use, not implantable, which are tailored to each patient individually and modify their structural or functional conditions of the musculoskeletal system are: wheelchairs, canes, walkers, or thesis-soft, semi-rigid and rigid, manufactured with the technical advances in bio-computer CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing, for its acronym in Spanish).
However, the development of these products over the years do not understand if it is approached from two fundamental aspects:
a) From an individual standpoint, because the man has always felt the need to confront the problems and limitations of locomotion, as well as for the absence of any of its members for various reasons.
b) From the social point of view, the same company, through its lifestyle, has created its own health needs, as well as the solution for them. Noting the story since this concept is not very difficult to infer that advances in technology orthopedic respect of the historical development of mankind, there have been following the great wars, which left a huge number of people with physical disabilities in many countries.
Since the First and Second World War, has accelerated the development of orthopedic technology as a technical discipline (not just referring to empirical facts, but facts scientifically explained) with decisive contributions to surgery, biomechanics and material technology, to reach its current status: an independent medical discipline, with its own mechanisms and therapeutic processes.
Within the broad range of devices including orthopedic and technology that have undergone significant changes over time, are the wheelchairs, devices that allow the movement of people with problems of locomotion or reduced mobility. There are basically two kinds of wheelchairs: electric and manual. The second highlights that are driven by an assistant, the two-hand driven front and rear wheels or in some cases have a satellite navigator and a laptop with networking activities to facilitate the mobility of the affected.
These are usually folding chairs (to save space and can be transported in luggage and other similar dwellings) and are often built of light elements such as aluminum and resistant steel or reinforced. In some cases, titanium is used carbon, with a coating of polyamide called Kevlar, to provide greater durability, as many times the user should be able to lift it and save it, to allow a degree of autonomy and self-sufficiency.
The first known wheelchair and specially created for that purpose was that of King Philip II of Spain, who suffered from a disorder that driving is impossible normal displacement.
The first patent for a wheelchair dates from 1869; it was a model bimanual driven rear wheels. Soon came new models tricycles and other changes such as adjusting the wheels so they could be used monomanual or trimanualmente.
The first model driven by electricity, dates from 1924. This model was not appealing to the public caused by noise, which was often compared with the squawk of chickens, for which he was known as redfish or gallimóvil.
The wheelchair as we know now was created in 1932 by engineer Harry Jennings. Everest & Jennings is the manufacturer of wheelchairs largest in the world. Many people do not know that the founder and designer of this company was disabled and that he himself wore one of them. The first wheelchair "E & J"-which was an innovation in his time, was the creative response of a disabled person to a personal need.
The first electric wheelchair appeared in the United States in the fifties. Although the current chair could be called electronic, were the first truly electric, but very slow. The next breakthrough was the development of an electronic circuit and control management gradual, the engines were replaced with coil motors permanent magnet, lighter, more efficient.
Today the manufacture of wheelchairs is an industry with revolutionary creations to be amazed that the original designers. Porsche Design has recently unveiled its newest concept, "Wheelchair Pegasus" that instead of four, has three wheels. This unique design allows the disabled to move efficiently even in the upright position, as its manual control combined with an electric motor and gyro sensors, allowing the driver to move through difficult situations without much problem. Does not reach the speeds of the exotic cars of the same brand, but offers better mobility than the other wheelchairs.
All assistive devices or technology support for the march: multipodales modified or canes, walkers, crutches, forearm crutches, as well as orthotic used in disorders of the neck, spine and knee, have experienced the impact of the development of science and technology. An example of progress in the manufacture of these devices are "crutches compacted," recent project of Astro Design has worked on projects for industrial design as important as the Xbox 360, Microsoft, Nike Triax watches, or because of historical iPAQ Compaq. The compacted crutches do not measure more than the long arm, and can be stored in the trunk of the car, in compartments of airplanes, or under a chair in restaurants. Once widespread, can be used by anyone as if it were a traditional crutches.
Another major breakthrough in the stand as orthopedic technology in the development of aesthetic prosthesis. These are plastic sculptures that bear strong resemblance to body parts and their function is to fill the missing parts and achieve a balance aesthetic.
The manufacture of them is carried out with elastomers of the family of silanes. These materials, unlike other plastics, are based on chains of silicon instead of chains of carbon, which makes the materials do not react in conventional organic solvents such as acetone, alcohol, petrol and fats. Because it does not contain carbon in its structure resist high temperatures, are materials with good elastic properties and good resistance to fracture.
The aesthetic prosthesis is attached to the body in various ways and depend on the conditions of each patient. The most common form used to secure it is through suction; to put the prosthesis on the stump of the affected limb, it forms a slight gap between the plastic skin and keep it in position, without fear that it will release during its daily use.
Recent designs prosthetic limbs incorporate temperature and pressure sensors to improve the interaction of patients with the environment in which they play. On hand will hear, introduce mechanisms of control and feel of the position of the joints inspired by the propiocepción, ie in the sense of touch itself.
At present, the fact of considering the biomechanical and physiological factors as well as the use of biomaterials, influences the capacity of these devices to achieve the objectives in the treatment of pathologies.
People who use wheelchairs, assistive devices, orthotic and prosthetic aesthetics should feel comfortable with them to be well integrated with their social environment, employment and family. So that technology now more than ever is available to any patient orthopedic-disabled or in the process of rehabilitation, to offer a better way of life and a speedy return to their daily lives.