Project looks to medicine, engineering to aid amputees

Project looks to medicine, engineering to aid amputees
01:40 AM EST on Thursday, December 9, 2004
BY FELICE J. FREYER
Journal Medical Writer

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has selected a Providence-based research consortium for a $7.2-million effort to create lifelike limbs for Iraq war amputees -- by melding live tissue with mechanical devices.

The researchers hope to develop biohybrid limbs that would allow amputees to control prosthetic arms and legs with muscle and nerve cells. They will try to lengthen bones, regenerate cartilage, blend skin with metal and power artificial joints with implants in the brain and microchips in the muscle.

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