“The intent is not to have better prosthetic knees for Soldiers, the intent is to have better prosthetic knees for the world’s population.”
Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, a bilateral above-the-knee amputee, was the first person to use the completed version of the Power Knee2, a next-generation powered prosthetic knee from Ossur, featuring new artificial intelligence and sensor technology that makes it possible for above-the-knee amputees to walk with increased confidence, safety and a more natural gait.
Gadson’s involvement in the project began when the designers asked him to walk on the original Power Knee, first produced in 2006. The developers took feedback from amputees on how to improve the technology. The new knee is smaller, lighter, quieter, and implements an advanced stumble recovery mode, improving its safety. Gadson traveled to Iceland, where the designer is based, to participate in the development.
“Partnering with industry and academia on new technologies to help individuals is exciting”, says Gadsons’ doctor, Lt. Col. Paul F. Pasquina, chief of integrated orthopedics and rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Pasquina noted the new knee is not a military application. “The intent is not to have better prosthetic knees for Soldiers, the intent is to have better prosthetic knees for the world’s population.”
“And no folks are more worthy of this than our injured servicemembers,” he said. “We’re just honored to be at this place in our history where we can bring things such as this to help patients.”
Michael Corcoran, Gadson’s prosthetist said the knee wasn’t designed for athletes, but for everyone. “If I lost a leg this is what I’d be looking for,”
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