- Prosthetic companies often use a combination of technology and user customization to create an optimal fit for wearers.
- Prosthetics have gone beyond helping humans - animals can benefit from them, too.
- Watch the video above to learn about eight inventions that are improving prosthetics and changing lives.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Following is a transcript of the video.
8 prostheses that are changing lives
1. Silicone aesthetic and functional prostheses
These silicone aesthetic and functional prostheses are made to look realistic.
Each prosthesis is custom-made by taking body measurements.
It's then painted by hand and given realistic veins and freckles.
It can be attached by suction or medical glue.
2. Naked Prosthetics finger prosthetics
These 3D-printed finger prostheses give greater mobility to people without fingers.
They are custom-made to fit wearers.
And they mimic natural finger motion to improve overall grip, strength, and extension.
3. Livingskin
Livingskin is prosthetic skin used for passive and bionic limbs.
Measurements and molds are taken to create each one.
Fingernails and skin color are hand-painted to match to the wearer for a seamless fit.
4. Prosthetic eyes
These prosthetic eyes are made from acrylic molds.
They're customized, fitted, and hand-painted by ocularists.
Ocularists are people who specialize in making prosthetic eyes.
The eyes help people with visual impairments go about their day...
With greater comfort and confidence.
5. DARPA brain-controlled robotic arm
This prosthesis helped a man who was paralyzed regain his sense of touch.
A series of electrode arrays were placed in the sensory and motor cortex regions of his brain.
The regions correspond to feeling in the fingers and palm.
During testing, the man said he felt like someone was touching his hand.
6. Open Bionics 3D-printed prostheses
Open Bionics focuses on making 3D-printed prostheses more affordable.
The limbs are just as functional and use sensors to detect muscle movements.
They're 1/30th the cost of other prostheses on the market.
The company also wants to make prostheses more fun for children.
It offers themed prostheses from Marvel, Disney, and "Star Wars" franchises.
7. DARPA LUKE Arm
DARPA created the LUKE arm for wounded veterans.
The agency partnered with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
They developed the limb to improve the lives of military veterans.
The arm has the same weight, size, shape, and grip strength as a human arm.
It uses a simple, intuitive control system that allows multiple joints to move simultaneously.
8. Animal prostheses
Animal Ortho Care makes these prostheses for animals.
It uses CAT scans, molds, and vacuum-heated plastic to ensure a comfortable fit.
Its clients include not only dogs and cats...
But animals like rams and elephants!