The King of...Legs: C-Leg
July 20, 2007 by Lauren
Here's a nice quote from Gizmodo that pretty much sums this baby up:
"Nice Lexus. Oh, what's this? Just a ROBOTIC LEG. But really, your car is quite nice. Cup holders and everything."
But seriously, the C-Leg has to be the coolest I've ever seen. It's a microprocessor-controlled hydraulic limb, complete with a wireless remote control. This limb is designed for above-knee veteran amputees. The system is so advanced, you can control the modes at any time (with your snazzy remote), maximizing mobility and independence. What other features does it have?
- Standing Mode. Regardless of
dynamic alignment...the Standing Mode stabilizes the C-Leg® at any
flexion angle between 7 and 70 degrees. This takes weight off the sound
limb. Allowing the user to relax while standing.
- Adapting Swing Phase Dynamics delivers
independence to the user. Gives users the ability to slightly adjust
swing phase for higher or lower dynamics for different activities.
Easily done with the touch of the remote.
- Scope of Application. The new C-Leg® is
suited for knee-disarticulation, transfemoral, hip-disarticulation, and
hemipelvectomy amputees. Amputees that fit in Mobility Grades 3 and 4
according to Otto Bock's MOBIS® Mobility System. Designed for amputees
with a maximum body weight of 275 lbs (125 kg).
So basically, this leg will let you relax as it supports your whole body weight (up to 275 lbs.). Data is taken 50 times per second by a joint angle sensor, while a force-sensing strain gauge pylon is used to determine phase of gait and walking speed of the user. So you'd have changing speed while being able to handle slopes and uneven surfaces.
Like a lot of things, there's the basic version and the tech version in prosthetic limbs. Always go for the tech version, right? I think in some cases, it isn't entirely necessary. But in this case, it just works better, and this happens to be a very important place for things to function correctly. Coming in at $30,000 to $40,000, you might even want to show it off. If you say that's steep, consider it carefully. Is there really any better investment than a body part? I think not.
Take a look at the world's coolest leg, if you'd like.
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