How Computer-Aided Design Produces Better Prosthesis

Medical literature defines prosthesis as an artificial extension that takes the place of a missing body part. It is a component of biometrics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous system to assist motor controls lost due to trauma, disease, or defect. They are usually used to replace parts lost by injury, missing from birth, or to supplement defective body parts. Some of the most common forms of prosthesis are lower extremity prosthetics, robotic prostheses, cosmesis, and cognition.

Lower extremity prosthetics are artificially replaced limbs at the hip level or lower. It is subdivided into two categories-trans-tibial and trans-femoral. The former refers to any amputation transecting the tibia bone or a congenital anomaly resulting in a deficiency of the tibia. Trans-femoral is any amputation transecting the femur bone. Robotic prostheses need several components to integrate it into the body's function. Collectively, these components are known as biosensors. They detect signals using the user's muscular or nervous system. Examples include wires that detect electrically activity on skin and needle electrodes implanted in the muscle. Cosmesis is primarily used to disguise injuries and disfigurements. Advances in modern technology have made possible the creation of lifelike limbs from silicone and polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Cognition, or neurocognitive prostheses, senses and modulates neutral function to physically augment cognitive processes like language, attention, and memory.

The inception of Computer-Aided Designs (CAD) has also made a huge impact in refining the prosthesis models available to medical patients today. CAD software allows limb scans to be virtually dissected so a user can get prosthesis with a more comfortable and accurate fit.