There’s an old saying “May you live in interesting times.” While it is meant to sound like a blessing, some say that is actually an ancient curse. Ancient or not, the saying was included by the late Robert F. Kennedy in a 1966 speech to students in Cape Town, South Africa. I was reminded of his speech in June on his 46th anniversary of his death, and it made me ponder what very interesting times in medical technology, combined with popular culture, we are certainly seeing today. Here are just a few very recent examples.

At the time of this writing, the world is anxiously awaiting the start of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. During the opening ceremony, a highly anticipated part of the event, a paralyzed young man wearing a brain-controlled motorized exoskeleton is expected to stand up, take a few steps, and kick the ceremonial ball to start the games. It would be the kick seen around the world. This “Walk Again Project,” is a collaboration of 150 scientists from the Duke University Center for Neuroengineering, the Technical University of Munich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience of Natal in Brazil, The University of California, Davis, The University of Kentucky, and The Duke immersive Virtual Environment.

In May, Amy Purdy, a double amputee snowboarder who won the bronze medal at this year’s Paralympic Games, finished second on the television show, “Dancing with the Stars,” against Olympic gold-medalist ice dancer Meryl Davis. Amy calls herself a “fembot.” Her carbon fiber legs end in feet designed as swimming prosthetics, which worked with her high-heeled dancing shoes.

With the recent harsh spotlight on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and VA reform legislation being drafted that would establish new VA health facilities, it’s good to know that at least one good thing has been developed recently for, and with the help of, veterans at several VA facilities. The DEKA Arm System is the first prosthetic arm that can perform multiple, simultaneous powered movements, controlled by electrical signals that are prompted by the contraction of muscles close to where the prosthesis is attached. Sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. Army Research Office, developed by a private company, and rigorously tested in a four-year VA study, the device seen on the cover of this issue can translate electrical signals into 10 different types of movements, which enable wearers to perform unprecedented complex and delicate tasks, like picking up a single grape. The FDA approved the marketing of this advanced bionic arm system in May.

What do all three of these innovations have in common? Motors and motion control technology—the theme of our Technology Leaders section this month—is the answer.

Beth G. Sisk

Editor


Topics:
Medical