[AMP-L] Microfluidic-based Robotic Prosthetics Promise Relief for Diabetic Amputees

[Wayne Renardson]

via Medical XPress:

Every 30 seconds, a leg is amputated somewhere in the world due to 
diabetes. These patients often suffer from neuropathy, a loss of 
sensation in the lower extremities, and are therefore unable to 
detect damage resulting from an ill-fitting prosthesis, which leads 
to the amputation of a limb.  

In Biomicrofluidics, Canadian scientists reveal their development of 
a new type of prosthetic using microfluidics-enabled soft robotics 
that promises to greatly reduce skin ulcerations and pain in patients 
who have had an amputation between the ankle and knee.  

More than 80% of lower-limb amputations in the world are the result 
of diabetic foot ulcers, and the lower limb is known to swell at  
unpredictable times, resulting in volume changes of 10% or more.

The rest of the story, with illustration, here:

https://tinyurl.com/2y4jekoc

Wayne R.