“The World We Dream” Prosthesis of the 21st century, breaking milestones that
were once dreamt about. Where bio-mechanics overrules the natural anatomy’s dynamic.
By Shane M. Ramos
4 Crosby Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
800.989.9998
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History of iWalk
In 2003 the U.S. department of Veteran
Affairs, Army Telemedicine, and
Advanced Technology Research Center
(TATRC) made the decision to
fund many visionaries, manufacturers, and
universities with tens of millions of
dollars to highly improve prosthetics of
the 21st century.
•
• Hugh Herr (bi-lateral
amputee), PhD-Director of Biomechanics at
MIT developed and commercialized
“Personal Bionics” formally known as
iWalk Inc.
The Goal Behind The Man
1. imbed the intelligence of how
humans walk into synthetic
structures.
2. control how muscles are controlled
neurally, then imbed them into
devices fluidly as if they were made
of flesh and bone.
The Typical Human Leg
Past Forms of Prosthesis
Time Line of Advancements
Early 21st Century
•“A new lease on life!”-state many
patients fitted with the BiOM Ankle
System
The Science Behind It
where robots, bioengineering, and prosthetics meet
• Emulates missing muscle and tendon
functions, substituting nerves.
• Provides a powering movement and
normalizing function (Achilles' Spring)
• Reduces aches and pains associated with
traditional prosthesis
• Eliminates stress on joints which usually lead
to deviations in the gait of a walk.
• The powered propulsion of the BiOM
system increases energy return by 100% and
mechanical power delivery by 800%.
• Overall, the process injects more mechanical
energy into the patient’s walking stride than
is absorbed. 1:8
• millions of sensors that are
connected to (4) microprocessors.
These microprocessors comprehend
the sensors readings and produce a
movement-energy level in correlation
to it.
The Benefits
• Natural walking gait, and speed
• Perform daily activities with less
energy usage
• Reduce intact leg stress after heel
strike
• **Navigate with confidence and
strength of changing surfaces,
terrains, hills, and stairs
• Personal Bionic tuning
Up Close and Personal
Where To Receive a BiOM
• There are roughly 150
locations across the U.S.
where the new BiOM
products are available for
fitment and installation.
• These places are primarily
Orthotics and Prosthetic
offices.
• The closest location to
myself would be Next Step
Orthotics and Prosthetics
in Warwick Rhode Island.
The Future Ahead Of iWalk
• Now that the BiOM Ankle
System has been perfected
and commercialized, Dr.
Hugh Herr is specializing
in the development of
multi-purpose Ankle
Systems.
• Prototypes have been
designed for the
construction of specialized
accessories for the leg, such
as ones for mountain
climbing, swimming, ice
skating, and also a more
extreme sprinting ankle
Works Cited
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[1] URI BME 181 BME Seminar II <www.ele.uri.edu/courses/bme281>.
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[2] iWalk Incorporated Website: <http://www.iwalkpro.com/>
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[3] Kyle Alspach -VC Editor Boston Business Journal
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|<http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2012/09/personal-bionicsfirmiwalk-
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raises.html>
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[4]Rachel Metz- Embracing The Artificial Limb
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http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2005/02/66633