College Park Industries, Warren, Michigan, and its company, Liberating Technologies, Holliston, Massachusetts, have received three grant awards from the U.S. Department of Defense.
A $999,820 grant, Technologies to Train Myoelectric Prosthesis Users for Optimal Functional Outcomes, will help the companies develop a motivational, portable, and affordable myoelectric trainer for people with upper-limb amputations. The trainer could be used at home to develop muscle strength and coordination.
The $999,517 Wireless Non-Invasive Advanced Control of Microprocessor Prostheses and Orthoses grant will help in the development of wireless toolkits that will allow for the interface of current and future physiological sensors with orthotic and prosthetic systems. Edward Clancy, PhD, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, played a key role in the research and preparation of the proposal.
The third grant, No Power Bionic Lower Extremity Prostheses, totals $999,080. The funding will help develop a passive prosthetic foot that collects energy multiple times during the gait cycle. It will be able to time its release, allowing for optimal energy return to assist in forward motion. Deanna Gates, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, provided research and helped with preparation for the grant.