Dolphin's new tail can help human amputees

updated 1:22 p.m. ET Aug. 26, 2007

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Prosthetic specialist Kevin Carroll travels the country tackling the toughest human amputation cases, so it was only natural that he was also drawn to Winter — the only known dolphin to survive the loss of her powerful tail flukes.

“My heart went out to her, and I was thinking I could probably put a tail on her,” said Carroll, vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.

Recreating one of the most powerful swimming mechanisms in nature turned out to be a lot tougher than expected. But after months of experimenting, Carroll and a unique team of experts are well on their way to, as one of them puts it, “MacGyvering” a tail for Winter.

Unlike the 1980s cult TV hero “MacGyver,” who worked his way out of tight spots with everyday items, much of what Winter’s team is creating is first-of-its-kind stuff.

“We put together a team who doesn’t know what 'no' means,” said Mike Walsh, Winter’s lead veterinarian and a program manager at the University of Florida’s aquatic animal health program. “As long as you’re willing to try, you can make a big difference.”

Discoveries help human amputees
Lessons can also be learned that will help human amputees. Carroll, for example, found the gel sleeve he developed to cling to 18-month-old Winter’s tail without irritating her sensitive skin also soothed a painful prosthesis for Air Force Senior Airman Brian Kolfage, who lost both legs and his right hand in a 2004 mortar attack in Iraq. The sleeve sticks to Winter’s tail with suction the same way a rubber surgical glove grips a human hand.

“When he tried to walk with prosthetics, you had these dagger-like bony growths sticking into the socket. It was very painful,” Carroll said. “Brian’s situation was similar to Winter’s. Winter helped him and hopefully she’ll help a lot of others as well.”

Carroll, an Orlando resident whose company is based in Bethesda, Md., said he is already thinking of new materials to make human prosthetics tougher in saltwater. And Walsh said the research on Winter is invaluable for understanding dolphin physiology and the treatment of back injuries, which can occur when dolphins are beached.

Winter lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a nonprofit marine animal rescue center and popular local attraction located in the Gulf Coast city’s former water treatment plant.

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