There is a new prosthetic foot on the market that claims to be able to think for itself. The Proprio Foot by Ossur utilizes a small motor, computer chip, and complex software to create a more natural gate for active, below-knee amputees.
Until now, a wide variety of prosthetic feet have been designed for various activities from walking around the house to competing in track and field events. Meticulously crafted components such as carbon fiber springs and rubber bumpers make many prosthetic feet similar to human feet in the way they transfer energy, absorb shock, and rotate at the ankle for better stability. But the Proprio Foot can automatically lift the toe just the right amount depending on what a person is doing, something no other foot can do.
Something as simple as sitting in a chair can look very awkward if your toe is always pointing up in to the air, so the Proprio Foot automatically lowers the toe when sitting. Additionally, when some amputees walk, they make a little more effort to keep the toe of their prosthetic foot from dragging the ground. By automatically lifting the toe at just the right moment in a person's stride, the Proprio Foot removes the limp associated with this now-unnecessary thought process.
The Proprio Foot costs between $12,000 and $18,000 and is not yet covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance companies in the United States.
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