The first prosthetic to provide propulsion for walking will be demonstrated by an Iraq War veteran and amputee at a media event to be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, July, 23, 2007, at the Providence VA Medical Center. The prototype ankle-foot was created under a collaborative research initiative that includes the Providence VA Medical Center, Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — An Iraq War veteran and lower leg amputee will demonstrate a new powered ankle-foot prosthesis that promises to restore an amputee’s natural gait at a Monday, July 23, 2007, media event at the Providence VA Medical Center.

The ankle-foot prosthesis, created by Hugh Herr and a team of researchers at the MIT Media Lab with funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, is a first in the field of prosthetics. Unlike any other artificial limb, the ankle actually propels users forward using multiple springs and a small battery-powered motor.

Herr, director of the Media Lab’s biomechatronics research group, is a VA research investigator and a double amputee. He will discuss his invention prior to the demonstration. A question and answer session and a photo opportunity will follow.

The ankle-foot was created through the Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine, a collaboration that includes the Providence VA Medical Center, Brown University and MIT.

Who
Hugh Herr, director of the Biomechatronics Research Group at the MIT Media Lab

What
Demonstration of a new powered ankle-foot prosthesis that promises to restore an amputee’s natural gait. A question and answer session and photo opportunity will follow the demonstration.

When
9:30 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2007

Where
Providence VA Medical Center
830 Chalkstone Avenue in Providence
Fifth Floor Auditorium

Contacts
At the VA: Jim Burrows (401) 457-3004 [email protected]
At Brown: Wendy Lawton (401) 863-1862 [email protected]