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Surgeons have the technology to make bionic man a reality
dailymail ^ | 7/3/06 | KRISTINA PEDERSEN

Posted on 07/03/2006 5:45:11 PM PDT by paltz

It sounds like the stuff of science fiction.

But scientists really have found a way to give amputees bionic limbs.

Experts at University College London are working on a technique to fuse skin to metal.

More here...

MP in plea to speed up 7/7 payouts

Before the discovery, known as Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis (ITAP), binding metallic limbs with skin was too dangerous because of infection.

But scientists say they have overcome this and believe ITAP may enable doctors to give amputees fully functioning bionic limbs which are linked to the patient's nervous system within five years.

UCL experts discovered the technique after observing how skin moulds naturally around deers' antlers.

The method involves attaching a metal implant to bone so it sticks out of the skin. Prostheses can then be attached to the device and controlled by the patient's own thoughts.

Surgeons are thought to have successfully operated on a handful of amputees including two victims of the 7/ 7 bombings in London.

Gordon Blunn, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UCL's Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculo-Skeletal Science, told the Times: "We found that the bone structure under the skin was very different to that which was exposed.

"It was very porous, with lots of tiny holes, which the dermis (inner layer of skin) webs its way into."

Eureka moment

He added: "That was the eureka moment."

Norbert Kang, a plastic surgeon involved in the first clinical trials at Mount Vernon Hospital in Middlesex, said patients treated with the new technique had seen their lives turned around.

He explained how one was able to use a pen for the first time in ten years, and how another patient who lost an eye to cancer, had a prosthetic eye successfully fitted. If successful, the procedure could save the NHS millions, as it will remove the heavy medical costs incurred when treating amputees, including the replacement of sockets, repeated prosthetic fittings as well as the treatment of pressure sores and infections.

Paul Unwin, of Stanmore Implants worldwide, a medical firm working with UCL, said: "ITAP has the potential to play a key role in the next generation of bionic prostheses, working with artificially intelligent powered limbs, under the control of the patient's own nervous system."

The number of people in the developed world who have limbs or digits amputated is around 390million.

In Europe, there are approximately 156,000 digits and limbs amputated every year, mainly as a result of disease.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
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1 posted on 07/03/2006 5:45:13 PM PDT by paltz
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To: paltz

Cool, so the 6 Million Dollar Man will be revamped as a reality TV programme...


2 posted on 07/03/2006 5:51:02 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: Army Air Corps

Paging William Gibson, Mr. Gibson, your predictions are uncannily coming true...


3 posted on 07/03/2006 5:53:53 PM PDT by akorahil (Thank You and God bless all Veterans. Truly, the real heroes.)
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To: paltz

They may soon be able to produce a "working version" of Nancy Pelosi.


4 posted on 07/03/2006 6:05:39 PM PDT by capt. norm (W.C. Fields: "The time has come to take the bull by the tail and face the situation".)
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To: capt. norm
They may soon be able to produce a "working version" of Nancy Pelosi.

Your very own artificial bio-mechanical Nancy Pelosi in home companion.

5 posted on 07/03/2006 6:14:02 PM PDT by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
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To: PatrickHenry; b_sharp; neutrality; anguish; SeaLion; Fractal Trader; grjr21; bitt; KevinDavis; ...
FutureTechPing!
An emergent technologies list covering biomedical
research, fusion power, nanotech, AI robotics, and
other related fields. FReepmail to join or drop.

6 posted on 07/03/2006 6:17:53 PM PDT by AntiGuv ("..I do things for political expediency.." - Sen. John McCain on FOX News)
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To: paltz

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na.


7 posted on 07/03/2006 6:23:05 PM PDT by numberonepal (Don't Even Think About Treading On Me)
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To: RadioAstronomer
Your very own artificial bio-mechanical Nancy Pelosi in home companion.

Does this mean my inflatable version is obsolete?

8 posted on 07/03/2006 6:27:25 PM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: numberonepal
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na.


9 posted on 07/03/2006 6:29:27 PM PDT by Lazamataz (Proudly Posting Without Reading the Article Since 1999 !!!)
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To: Izzy Dunne

HAHAHAHA!


10 posted on 07/03/2006 6:35:11 PM PDT by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
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To: Izzy Dunne

Speaking of inflatables, with a little more work this may cut into Pfizer's Viagra revenue.


11 posted on 07/03/2006 6:39:34 PM PDT by MarcusTulliusCicero
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To: Izzy Dunne

Replaced by an inflatable sheep.


12 posted on 07/03/2006 6:41:44 PM PDT by js1138 (Well I say there are some things we don't want to know! Important things!")
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To: capt. norm

" == They may soon be able to produce a "working version" of Nancy Pelosi. == "

OH, MY G_D! The eyebrows! Don't look at the eyebrows... AAAAHHHHHHRRRRGGGHHH!


13 posted on 07/03/2006 7:01:03 PM PDT by MainFrame65
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To: paltz
Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster...


14 posted on 07/03/2006 7:20:52 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner ("Si vis pacem para bellum")
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