Myoelectric Knee-Good News!

[Wayne Renardson]

>From OANDP-L with permission of Mr. Mark Benveniste, RN BS CP

Dear Colleagues,

Many of you responded to my post about Myoelectric Knees.  The original 
post cited a VA research project that was started in 1987. Apparently nothing 
came of it. Some engineers in Japan worked on a similar idea but ran into 
problems. I received no word from any of the large companies that we are all 
familiar with.    

I received many posts from amputees and prosthetists who thought it was a 
good idea and hoped research was progressing somewhere on this idea.  

However.................

As it turns out there exists at this moment a Myoelectric knee ready for 
market!  

John Lang CPO referred me to the Advanced Prosthetics Development Corp. 
I contacted them and found out about their product.  

The patented MYO-GUARD   Model 2000 knee unit has been in existence for 
5 years! Why haven't we heard about it?........Marketing is expensive  

This knee was initially developed by Mr Bill Berringer, a traumatic bilateral 
AK amputee with further collaboration by Mr Sulima CP around 1984. 
Engineers were recruited to develop the hydraulics and electronics and the 
Advanced Prosthetics Development Corporation was ultimately formed.   

To quote from their information:

"Yes, this is a positive lock, controlled by the amputee at will, using the signal 
from the muscle group Biceps femoris and Vastus lateralis and may be locked 
in any angle at the amputees volition. The amputee may then proceed into 
extension while sustaining the lock mode without fear of the knee bending or 
going into further flexion."  

"We have patient tested the hydraulic cylinder extensively for almost 5 years 
without a failure, also machine tested to 1.5 million cycles showing only 
minimal wear."  

This is a small company and their advertising resources have been limited . 
They are currently working on putting up a web site.  

I look forward to learning more about the knee, its limitations and capabilities. 
With increased exposure, a valuable addition to the field will be available .   

If you want to contact Bill Berringer at Advanced Prosthetics Development, 
his number is 215-699-3083   fax 215-455-8560   

or: 

Advanced Prosthetics Development
398 North Wales Road
Blue Bell, PA
19422
USA

I am encouraged by the efforts and triumphs of private individuals in this field. 
I am discouraged that many ideas can be lost or squashed from the inability to 
share ideas effectively. I am glad this forum exists and that the P&O 
publications are able to bring attention to innovative ideas.  

Sincerely,
Mark Benveniste RN BS CP
Houston, TX