Excerpt from a Bruegel painting that reflects the limitations of 16th century prosthetics design and attitudes to disability.

1800s

The Anglesea or Clapper Leg was developed for the First Marquess of Anglesea in 1816 after he lost a limb during the Battle of Waterloo the previous year. The latter name was given for the noise it made on full extension!

1950s

Stabilised Knee

The need for better limb controls became more apparent after World War II with the huge increase in young active amputees. Blatchford development resources concentrated on a new knee that would stablise during weight bearing but swing freely during walking, thereby allowing a natural walking pattern. Called the Blatchford Stabilised Knee, this device was to become popular worldwide.

1970s

Modular Assembly Prosthesis -  Blatchford MAP System

Designed by Brian Blatchford, this was the first UK modular system. It allowed the assembly of a prosthesis from a series of stock components. Finally large numbers of amputees could be fitted within a reasonable time scale. The company won a series of awards, including The Queen's Award and Design Council Award, for this successful innovation.

1980s

Endolite Carbon Fibre System

Blatchford developed the world's first carbon fibre prosthetic system using materials developed for the aircraft industry. This technology promoted light, high strength designs that passed the new ISO standards for limb components. This innovation paved the way for the development of flexible feet and shin components that would allow energy return to enhance walking and sports activities.

CAD CAM

The contours of the residual limb are digitised and the shape manipulated on the computer to achieve suitable volume and weight bearing characteristics. The resulting shape is carved in foam using a CNC machine. The socket is vacuum formed over the carved foam from suitably strong plastics such as polypropylene.

Cosmetic Skins

Recent developments in silicone technology at Blatchford have resulted in a life-like skin covering for the prosthesis. Called skinFX, the cosmetic cover rolls on in seconds over the limb to give an effective natural look. Amputees who have tried skinFX like the realistic appearance and the ease with which they can change the skin to match their tan when on holiday! The innovative, patented, manufacturing process means that the skins can be made available at competitive prices.

Computer Control

In 1990 Blatchford began development of the first commercially available microprocessor controlled prosthetic knee. Called the Intelligent Prosthesis (IP), the unit is programmed to each individual user during walking to achieve the smoothest, energy saving gait pattern.  The IP detects speed changes and  increases or decreases the speed at which the prosthesis swings via a pneumatic control unit in the knee so that walking looks and feels natural. The Intelligent Prosthesis works well on level surfaces but its intelligence does not extend to understanding other environmental considerations such as stairs, ramps and uneven terrain.

Into the 21st Century

New Advances

In 1998, at the ISPO World Congress, Blatchford displayed the Adaptive Prosthesis; the latest innovation in computerised knee control.

The Adaptive Prosthesis has a microcomputer that can detect and respond suitably to the terrain underfoot. The knee control unit, a unique combination of hydraulics and pneumatics, provides assistance for weight bearing and for changes in walking speed.
It is obvious that people will need different degrees of stability for descending stairs, ramps and for standing and the Adaptive knee provides this to the specific levels required by the individual. Each Adaptive Prosthesis is programmed to the amputee’s gait pattern whilst they are walking in a normal environment. The special remote programmer allows the amputee to walk freely, both indoors and outdoors, during programming so that the resulting limb program truly matches their aspirations for natural walking.