Clinical evaluation of the modular electromechanical lock actuator for above-elbow prostheses: a preliminary report

The Modular Electromechanical Lock Actuator (MELA) is the result of research and development (R&D) conducted under the direction of Dudley S. Childress, PhD, at the Northwestern University Prosthetics Research Laboratory (NUPRL), Chicago, Illinois. NUPRL, based upon their experience with prostheses for persons with high-level, upper-limb amputations, developed MELA to provide users with more efficient, versatile control and operation of their existing, cable-operated, positive-locking elbow and wrist components. The design of MELA has advanced to the point where it has the potential to improve the functionality and effectiveness of existing, body-powered or manually positioned above-elbow prostheses. This R&D effort has resulted in a pre-market model that is now ready for the national field evaluation part of the technology transfer process coordinated through the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Technology Transfer Section.