Prosthetic Arm

A new technique that capitalizes on remaining nerves allows amputees to intuitively control their prosthetic limb, providing them with a much better level of control than traditional prosthetics.
Scientists describe a procedure to surgically transplant nerves from the shoulder to the upper-chest muscle.
The rerouted nerves then grew into the muscle, which amplified the messages once sent to muscles in the arm and hand; those signals are read by sensors on the prosthetic limb and translated into movement. The patient also developed a surprising degree of sensory perception in the upper chest, which scientists say will be key in the next generation of prosthetics.
Most artificial arms are controlled by remaining muscles near the amputated limb. But the devices can be frustrating and slow: the user must consciously contract those muscles to trigger a movement, and only one movement can be performed at a time.

The scientists transplanted to the upper chest both motor and sensory nerves that, prior to the amputation, would have traveled from the shoulder to muscles in the arm and hand. In the months after the surgery, the transplanted nerves grew into the chest muscle, eventually triggering twitches in the shoulder muscle when the patient thought about moving her hand or elbow. Scientists then mapped the precise pattern of muscle activity that occurred when the patient mentally executed specific movements, such as grasping or moving the elbow. Liberating Technologies, a prosthetic-device company, then made a specialized prosthetic limb, which was programmed to sense muscle activity generated by the transplanted nerves and use it to control movement of a motorized elbow, wrist, and hand.

The patient was able to use her new arm within a few days, becoming four times as fast on movement tests as she was with her traditional prosthetic.

Fall 2008/Winter 2009 Fashion Trends

HAIR REMOVAL AND HAIR IMPLANTS FOR WOMAN

Hair Implants For Women

Talking about bald spots for women used to be a taboo subject. No woman wanted to admit she had a bald spot because the hair is such an important part of the overall look. Most women who had hair loss problems just opted for a wig and let it go at that. This may have been OK when women tended to sit around and not be physically active. This has all changed now as hair loss in women is an important subject. No longer are today’s women happy to sit around, they would rather be skiing on the slopes, surfing the waves, or on a horseback riding full out.

One of the best method to get hair growing again in a bald spot for a woman is by using hair implants for women. Hair implants, or hair plugs as they are also known, have been around for years but have mostly only been used on men. This method was not used for hair loss women very much because of the mechanism for the hair harvesting. In the old hair implants it was required that the patient have a portion of the scalp that showed heavy hair growth. A patch of this hair covered scalp was then removed and the individual hair follicles and shafts removed from the flap. If a portion of scalp could not be found for the transplanting of hair then artificial hair implants would have to be used. This is an OK solution but not near as good as having your own hair growing.

The problem with hair implants for women was that women tend to experience hair thinning along with a spot problem. Thus there was not good donor area with thick hair growth. We were forced to use some other hair loss treatment for women instead of implants.

This all changed with the advent of DHI or direct hair implants. This new method uses a revolutionary tool to remove individual hair units and place them in the bald area. The hair can be transplanted from several different areas of the head and even other parts of the body. A skilled surgeon can place the hair in such a way that it is virtually unnoticeable compared to the existing hair. It is also a very fast female hair loss treatment. You can have a direct hair implant done in about and afternoon at the doctor’s office.

This new technique has revolutionized the treatment of hair loss for women. Now a woman can have her own haired transplanted to the bald area and no one needs to be the wiser.

Best Options for Hair Removal

Many women struggle with the issue of hair removal. Here's a guide to help you find the method that's best for you.

Hair Removal Method No. 1: Laser/Pulsed Light

What It Does: One of the more popular ways to remove hair is via laser or pulsed light - energy that goes through the hair shaft down to the follicle, where it destroys the hair's root. Best For : Laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the body. The best candidates are women with dark hair and light skin. Lasers won't work on white hair, and they are much less effective on blond hair.

Hair Removal Method No. 2: Electrolysis

What It Is : The only method of hair removal that is permitted to be called "permanent," electrolysis uses a tiny needle that slides down into the hair follicle until it reaches the cells responsible for hair growth. Best For : Like other forms of hair removal, it is safe to do electrolysis anywhere on the body, though Kirby says the most popular place for women is the face.

Hair Removal Method No. 3: Vaniqa

What It Is: This topical prescription cream, also known as eflornithine 13.9%, works by blocking an enzyme that would otherwise stimulate hair growth. Without the enzyme, hair growth is retarded in that area, and eventually may stop. Best For : Vaniqa works best for facial hair growth on the upper lip, chin, and cheeks.

Hair Removal Method No. 4: Waxing

What It Is : It's been around for centuries, but today's waxes are far different than the sticky honey treatments of the past. Best For : Waxing can remove hair anywhere on the body, including the upper lip, chin, eyebrows, arms and legs. A bikini wax removes hair that might show when you're wearing a skimpy bathing suit bottom, while a Brazilian wax removes all hair from the genital area.

Hair Removal Method No. 5: Shaving

What It Is: Whether done with an electric or straight razor, shaving is akin to cutting hair - only it does so ultra-close to the skin. Shaving does not remove hair at the root, nor does it disturb the follicle. That means the effects are temporary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days.