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Military Conflicts Drive Technological Innovation
By Tina Eichner According to a recent study by global consulting firm Frost
& Sullivan, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, recent
military conflicts resulting in a rise in the number of amputees
have boosted the need for restoration of normal ambulatory
functions and are driving technological growth around the world in
the field of biomechatronics.
Frost & Sullivan states in its report, "Emerging Trends and
Innovations in Biomechatronics," that innovations addressing
medical hurdles for the usage of prosthetic devices and cost
affordability of these devices are key factors affecting the growth
of the biomechatronics technologies market. Biomechatronics
technologies are concerned with developments in mechatronic and
electromechanical prosthetics and bionic devices.
"Encouragingly, several developing countries are increasingly
including prosthetic devices under their health insurance schemes,
while governments are diverting greater funds to address the needs
of amputees, especially war victims," notes Frost & Sullivan
Technical Insights Research Analyst Vishnu Sivadevan. The high
price tag of electronic adaptive prosthetic devices, such as
microprocessor-controlled knees, is a limiting factor for people to
be fitted with these devices, the company notes. Nevertheless, many
developed countries, including Germany, France, and Italy, have
modified their medical financial system to provide funding of these
devices for patients. However most of the world is striving to
justify the large-scale adoption of these devices despite the high
cost, due to the tremendous improvement in quality of life of
patients they create.
Still, technological advances continue at a fast clip. "With the
funding for research and development of advanced prosthetics on the
rise, biomechatronics has made fast progress in tune with the
corresponding advancements in the fields of sensors,
micromechatronics, and biomaterials," comments Sivadevan.
The advancements in microfabrication technologies also are
driving the biomechatronics markets. Significant inroads made into
sensor technology, embedded chips, artificial intelligence
algorithms, and miniature microprocessors have added to
technological growth.
For more information about the Frost & Sullivan study
visit its Technical Insights website at www.technicalinsights.frost.com 
Table Of Contents - August 2006
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