Copying Antler-Structure Means Better Prosthetics

tygerstripes writes "The BBC reports that a breakthrough in prosthetic technology will allow titanium to be grafted directly to the bone and then protrude from the skin without risking infection. Research by the Centre for Bio-Medical Engineering, UCL and Stanmore Implants looks into the way that the structure and porosity of deers' antlers prevents infection from entering the break in the skin. Early trials and a fairly gruesome picture show that by mimicking this they can successfully provide amputees with more comfortable, permanent prosthetics. Combined with bionic muscle and other recent developments, we may be very close to fully-integrated prosthetics."

Comments

I see they have their priorities ordered...

[drinkypoo]

The next stage, he added, would be to carry out trials on upper and lower limb replacements.

He said he expected victims of last year's London bombing attacks who lost limbs to be involved.

Great. So there's been people sitting around for literally decades waiting for advances like this, and they're going to give them to people who are victims of recent terrorist bombings, because it's more mediagenic.

Sometimes it seems like everyone is evil.