College
Park Industries, Warren, Michigan, and its company, Liberating
Technologies, Holliston, Massachusetts, have received three grant awards
from the U.S. Department of Defense.
A
$999,820 grant, Technologies to Train Myoelectric Prosthesis Users for
Optimal Functional Outcomes, will help the companies develop a
motivational, portable, and affordable myoelectric trainer for people
with upper-limb amputations. The trainer could be used at home to
develop muscle strength and coordination.
The
$999,517 Wireless Non-Invasive Advanced Control of Microprocessor
Prostheses and Orthoses grant will help in the development of wireless
toolkits that will allow for the interface of current and future
physiological sensors with orthotic and prosthetic systems. Edward
Clancy, PhD, professor of electrical and computer engineering at
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, played a key role in the research and
preparation of the proposal.
The
third grant, No Power Bionic Lower Extremity Prostheses, totals
$999,080. The funding will help develop a passive prosthetic foot that
collects energy multiple times during the gait cycle. It will be able to
time its release, allowing for optimal energy return to assist in
forward motion. Deanna Gates, PhD, an associate professor at the
University of Michigan, provided research and helped with preparation
for the grant.
