This Week's Herman Trend Alert Demand-Driven Workforce Development

The Herman Trend Alert November 8, 2006 Prostheses that Respond to Phantom Sensations Employers have long struggled to accommodate the special needs of people with disabilities who have lost limbs. In the future, those employers may not need to be quite as concerned, because the new prosthetic arms and from Otto Bock are light years ahead of previous artificial limbs. The toughest challenges faced by folks who have lost limbs are “phantom sensations.” Phantom sensations occur when the amputees believe that there are still feelings in their arms or legs that have been removed. The new arms from Otto Bock actually use those phantom sensations to trigger movement in the prosthetic arm or hand. The interfaces between machine and man are called “myoelectrodes.” These clever devices sense the body’s impulses and move the hand accordingly. To check for compatibility, therapists use a machine called the “MyoBoy” to determine compatibility between amputees and the technology. Once compatibility is established and the person has been fitted with the new arm, there is a training period, but upon completion, users report “amazing” abilities, compared to previous artificial arms. The microprocessors built into the arm also sense increasing weight and can increase the pressure to insure that the person does not drop a bottle or glass being filled with liquid. Derek Domenici lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident and now wears an Otto Bock arm. Derek says “I am very fortunate. Though I lost my arm, I can still use my right hand.” He can still perform many functions he previously enjoyed, because of the capability of this state-of-the-art product. Otto Bock also makes artificial legs that enable the amputee to walk normally, even on hills and stairs. It is the unique relationship between the on-board microprocessor and the hydraulic controls enables their product, called "The C-Leg”, that provides this higher performance. Other Bock innovations include Microprocessor Knees and Delta Twist Shock Absorbers. These products offer a new generation of high tech prosthetics and the wave of the future for the industry. The implications of these devices are significant for employers who have been providing accommodations for some of their employees who are missing limbs. © Copyright 1998-2008 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! If you've been thinking about attending our valuable Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program, don't delay--only three spaces remain. With the employment market heating up, many positions are literally impossible to fill. Attend this course and you will learn dozens of low-/no-cost valuable strategies to attract and retain the talent you need. Recertification credit from HRCI. Next program: May 22-23, Charleston, SC. Call Carol at 336-282-9370 or visit http://www.employeeretentionspecialist.com. GET INSIDE THE MINDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES Find out what's really going on inside the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-648-1918 or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. NEW BABY BONUS Book Joyce to speak on the West Coast in 2008 and receive 100 of her books of your choosing. There is a new baby in the family, Spencer Jay, and Joyce would appreciate more opportunities to watch him grow. For more about Joyce, visit http://www.hermangroup.com/joyce.html or call Joyce at 336-210-3548. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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