Like2Byte writes "CNN is reporting that a US Marine who lost both his legs in Iraq is now able to walk again by using bluetooth technology to coordinate his leg movement. The two legs communicate to keep the man in motion. ' [...] Computer chips in each leg send signals to motors in the artificial joints so the knees and ankles move in a coordinated fashion. Bleill's set of prosthetics [legs] have Bluetooth receivers strapped to the ankle area. The Bluetooth device on each leg tells the other leg what it's doing, how it's moving, whether walking, standing or climbing steps, for example.'"
I hope they don't fall down when they walk past a microwave oven. I know my bt headset drops info while talking around my microwave. I hope the final devices are a bit more robust.
Your headset is level with the microwave, your ankles hopefully aren't level with the microwave. Couldn't they just run a wire up what is left of his legs and connect them at his waist instead relying on bluetooth?
I do know that there's a proposed standard for Bluetooth specifically for medical devices--there are some pacemakers and ICDs out there (most of 'em these days, I understand) that have bluetooth built into 'em so that the doctors can read information off of 'em without having to place electrodes and whatnot--and also so that they can patch the firmware, if necessary.
This is why they're using bluetooth, I think, rather than something else--because it's already used for similar medical device communications.
I personally find it remarkably stupid they are using bluetooth or wireless at all. There is a point near the crotch where a small wire can connect the two legs.
also why the hell are they using bluetooth? other RF data modules are far easier to use in embedded processing and have a shorter range that is perfect for that use.
I'm reminded of an old BOFH episode [petech.ac.za] in which the Bastard Operator straps a mobile SNMP controller to the boss's motorized wheelchair, and then lets another manager take a crack at his new "video game." All's fun and games till you miss that jump over the open manhole...
I think it's great that they've improved the functionality of these prostheses, but I find it rather dumb that the batteries that power them are not user replaceable. They've added some "whiz bang" at the cost of what would be now considered a standard functional issue of any consumer electronics device. I know someone with a prosthetic arm, which has replaceable Li-Ion packs, why would having removeable batteries be any different in this case? Then again, maybe I am incorrectly interpreting "no spare batteries available" as not user replaceable, instead of the design of these batteries are two-of-a-kind and no additional ones have been manufactured at this point.
That was my initial reaction too. But, he lost his legs just above the knee, so the routing of the wire would either have to cross empty space somewhere, or else route up one leg, into the crotch of his trousers, and down the other leg. On the one hand, I can see either of those routings having issues, practical or comfort related. But still, seems like it would be worth it considering the advantages the wired version would give you in terms of reliability and battery longevity.
Thanks for clearing that up. I was confused too - so the legs are talking to each other then? I guess that makes sense since they probably wouldn't do such a great job if they acted independently of one another. I agree that a wired rendition makes more sense from an engineering perspective, but it would make some basic stuff like putting on clothes a little more cumbersome than the prosthetics already are. Perhaps the design motivation here is psychological - kind of like the benefit of complicated pro
Because running a wire up the remaining above knee leg, around the crotch, and back down the other remaining above knee leg would be a PITA. Running it directly would make for tripping over or break the wire every time you stepped over something, though there are some features that might be useful for a marine: http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20030511.html [schlockmercenary.com]
Price is hardly an issue with this kind of thing. A wire would certainly be more reliable, but then of course you have the inconvenience of a wire dangling out of your ass (which, I can only assume, is rather severe).
If these have a sensor inside that could detect falling over (which they must), you could have it set up to deliver an emergency "I've fallen and I can't get up" type message to a pc. A la new onstar vehicles. Maybe heart rate/blood pressure monitors as well. Could increase independence.
by Anonymous Coward
on Friday January 25 2008, @04:20PM (#22187036)
From TFA:
Because of built-in motors, the Bluetooth legs allow Bleill to walk longer before he tires.
"We've compared walking several laps in both sets of legs and one, your legs come out burning and tired and these, you know, you sometimes are not even breaking a sweat yet."
The only downside is when his new legs are burning, it's because they used sony batteries.
Newsreel announcer: We have the ships. We have the weapons. We need soldiers. Soldiers like Lieutenant Stack Lumbreiser... Lt. Lumbreiser: Over the target area now, Captain. Newsreel announcer:...and Captain Carmen Ibanez. Carmen: This is the captain speaking. All personnel prepare for drop. Newsreel announcer: Soldiers like Private Ace Levy and Lieutenant John Rico. Johnny Rico: Come on you apes, you wanna live forever? Newsreel announcer: We need you all. Service guarantees citizenship.
The chips send signals to the artificial joints via bluetooth?
To FORWARD WALK, press 1. To FORWARD RUN, press 2. To BACKWARD WALK, press 3. To BACKWARD RUN, press 4. To KICK LEFT, press 5. To KICK RIGHT, press 6. To move SIDEWAYS LEFT, press 7 To move SIDEWAYS RIGHT, press 8
If you have fallen and can't get up, press 9. An Operator will be with you shortly. Please hold, your call is important to us. Calls will be answered in the order they are recieved. (plays "Runnin' With The Devil" as hold music).
Maybe they'd let him drive his motorized wheelchair in the hundred meter race before he got his cyborg legs? I think when his legs got blown off that would have pretty much disqualified him from most sports.
Speaking of sports, why is it OK for a baseball player to get eye surgery to bring his vision to better than 20/20, but it's not ok for him to take steroids? Would they he ok with muscles surgically grafted onto his arms and legs?
You know the reason, but you're being obtuse because you want to juice. It's not really about the legality or illegality of steroid use, though your Congressmen (and women) would like you to believe that. It's more about the trade-offs. Like Tyrell symbionts, the star that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
Using steroids improves performance for the player during his career at the cost of debilitating medical problems down the line. It reduces both quality and quan
Why Bluetooth? I think the doctor just figured out a way to "perform maintenance surgery" on the guy every two years for the rest of his life. Pure brilliance!
My only guess is that Bluetooth hardware was available "off the shelf" therefore simplfying the design time for the wireless link. It's questionable if this was wise, considering the proliferation of Bluetooth devices. I know I'd be a little upset if the legs that I depended on were covered under FCC part 15, particularly the part stating "this device must accept interference, even if it causes undesired operation."
FWIW, I don't think the BT is actually implanted, so regular surgeries for battery changes
What if I sync my Treo while sitting next to him? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What if I sync my Treo while sitting next to hi (Score:4, Funny)
Parent
Re:What if I sync my Treo while sitting next to hi (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
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Yes, I'm a cyborg. Resistance is fulile and you will all be (yawn) assimilated.
Re:What if I sync my Treo while sitting next to hi (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, I get creeped out when I hear people talking to themselves in the john, too.
Parent
Oooohh, great new excuse for speeding. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What if I sync my Treo while sitting next to hi (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Bluetooth?! (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
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Besides, isn't it more fun to make your legs move from across the room?
Re:Bluetooth?! (Score:5, Informative)
This is why they're using bluetooth, I think, rather than something else--because it's already used for similar medical device communications.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
also why the hell are they using bluetooth? other RF data modules are far easier to use in embedded processing and have a shorter range that is perfect for that use.
The whole thing smells of a PR stunt to me.
How long before this poor guy gets hacked? (Score:3, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm happy he can walk and all, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
Hello, AAA? Yeah, I'm in the supermarket parking lot and I need a jump-start...
Sean
oblig alpha centauri (Score:2)
Wooed women at every base,
But once ladies glanced at
His special enhancement
They vanished with nary a trace.
Barracks Graffiti
Sparta Command
Leap forward in tech, step backwards in utility. (Score:3, Interesting)
I think it's great that they've improved the functionality of these prostheses, but I find it rather dumb that the batteries that power them are not user replaceable. They've added some "whiz bang" at the cost of what would be now considered a standard functional issue of any consumer electronics device. I know someone with a prosthetic arm, which has replaceable Li-Ion packs, why would having removeable batteries be any different in this case? Then again, maybe I am incorrectly interpreting "no spare batteries available" as not user replaceable, instead of the design of these batteries are two-of-a-kind and no additional ones have been manufactured at this point.
(Apologies for the puns in the title.)
Looking to Apple for design. (Score:2, Funny)
Must've been taking design cues from the packaging engineers that work at Apple. You can't replace the battery in their iPod or iPhone, either.
Re:Leap forward in tech, step backwards in utility (Score:2)
And, even if it didn't blow up, it could be shocking or quite emotionally discharging to see one of your limbs smoking.
Re:Leap forward in tech, step backwards in utility (Score:3, Interesting)
hmm "The Bionic Men" sounds like a great name for a futuristic fascist military.
Black Hats (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
When your car explodes, don't be surprised.
Wii? (Score:5, Funny)
OMG (Score:2)
How will this guy cross the road? on his hands?
Weird (Score:2)
Re:Weird (Score:4, Insightful)
Parent
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But the important question is ... (Score:2)
Monitor capabilities? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
You just got bluesnarfed! (Score:3, Funny)
The Typical Day (Score:5, Funny)
"Brain -> Legs: Bluetooth connection lost. Re-pairing"
*trip*
I for one... (Score:2)
Hey wait a minute, I'm a cyborg! Never mind.
Fire! (Score:4, Funny)
The only downside is when his new legs are burning, it's because they used sony batteries.
Clearly this is a lie (Score:2)
Once the OSI has accomplished that goal, they will turn the legs off.
We have the technology! (Score:2)
Lt. Lumbreiser: Over the target area now, Captain.
Newsreel announcer:
Carmen: This is the captain speaking. All personnel prepare for drop.
Newsreel announcer: Soldiers like Private Ace Levy and Lieutenant John Rico.
Johnny Rico: Come on you apes, you wanna live forever?
Newsreel announcer: We need you all. Service guarantees citizenship.
Hmmmmm..... (Score:3, Funny)
To FORWARD WALK, press 1.
To FORWARD RUN, press 2.
To BACKWARD WALK, press 3.
To BACKWARD RUN, press 4.
To KICK LEFT, press 5.
To KICK RIGHT, press 6.
To move SIDEWAYS LEFT, press 7
To move SIDEWAYS RIGHT, press 8
If you have fallen and can't get up, press 9. An Operator will be with you shortly. Please hold, your call is important to us. Calls will be answered in the order they are recieved. (plays "Runnin' With The Devil" as hold music).
If controls fail to respond, press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
Help! Grommit! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:olympics (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Speaking of sports, why is it OK for a baseball player to get eye surgery to bring his vision to better than 20/20, but it's not ok for him to take steroids? Would they he ok with muscles surgically grafted onto his arms and legs?
Why is surgery ok but not drugs?
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
You know the reason, but you're being obtuse because you want to juice. It's not really about the legality or illegality of steroid use, though your Congressmen (and women) would like you to believe that. It's more about the trade-offs. Like Tyrell symbionts, the star that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
Using steroids improves performance for the player during his career at the cost of debilitating medical problems down the line. It reduces both quality and quan
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
My only guess is that Bluetooth hardware was available "off the shelf" therefore simplfying the design time for the wireless link. It's questionable if this was wise, considering the proliferation of Bluetooth devices. I know I'd be a little upset if the legs that I depended on were covered under FCC part 15, particularly the part stating "this device must accept interference, even if it causes undesired operation."
FWIW, I don't think the BT is actually implanted, so regular surgeries for battery changes
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Re:The future just slapped me on the back of my he (Score:2)
Only if this catches on with Real Doll.