Did You Know?

Do you know who Dean Kamen is?  You probably know one of his inventions, the Segway “scooter.”  Well, did you know that he (or better, his company DEKA) has also created much more important things?  DEKA has also created a very advanced wheelchair (although it doesn’t seem fair to call it that considering what it can do).   It was invented quite some time ago, prior to the Segway (which uses technology developed for the wheelchair).  They have also created a prosthetic arm, one that is so advanced it probably falls just a little short of the fictional one that Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) received.  Below are two links for the wheelchair and the arm, respectively.  Mr. Kamen has my utmost respect for developing things which return basic human functionality to those who have lost it!  Unfortunately, the wheelchair is no longer sold, due to poor sales and inability to get reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.  Yea!  Let’s hear it for government controlled health care!

Link 1

Link 2