Bluetooth Prosthetics Help US Marine To Walk Again

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.'"

olympics

[KevMar]

Another fine gentalman that they will not allow to partisipate in the olympics.

I'm happy he can walk and all, but...

[jafo]

The last thing most of us need is one more damn thing that you need to keep charged.

Hello, AAA? Yeah, I'm in the supermarket parking lot and I need a jump-start...

Sean

Why Bluetooth?

[Anonymous Coward]

Surely a simple thin wire run from the knee to belt to other knee would have worked just as well.

I can't think Bluetooth really added much to the basic functionality.

Re:Weird

[Digital_Quartz]

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.

Re:Why Bluetooth?

[Radon360]

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 isn't an issue.

Spinal Cord injuries

[BigJClark]

I wonder if this technology can be mutated such that it can give people with spinal cord injuries similar locomotion. Mutated in such a way not to require amputation, of course. Interesting.

Re:olympics

[zippthorne]

Why is surgery ok but not drugs?

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 quantity of life for the retired player. Since it's a "prisoner's dilemma" of whether or not to juice: players who don't are at a significant disadvantage, it's in the players' best interest to band together and agree not to. Ironically it's probably the most relevant issue for the players' union to handle, much more so than the frequent salary strikes. In a sense, you're on to something: If the players aren't interested in protecting themselves by exercising their existing guild infrastructure, why should any of the rest of us be concerned the performances might be a little too exciting.

The same cannot be said of eye surgery. It just doesn't have the same risk of chronic, long-term side effects. It's almost all up-side.