BackgroundRecent advances in human–machine interface technology have enabled the development of multifunctional, primarily orthopedic myoelectric prostheses. We developed a noninvasive blinking periorbital prosthesis that can synchronize with blinking of the intact eyelid by using surface electromyographic signals of the orbicularis oculi muscle.MethodsMyoelectric potentials of the orbicularis oculi muscle while blinking were measured with surface electrodes on the eyelid in four healthy adults. Possible cross talk introduced via the electrodes was also measured and assessed to determine whether cross talk would affect surface electromyographic measurements while blinking.ResultsThe amplitude of the surface myoelectric potential of the orbicularis oculi muscle was sufficiently high for the practical use of blinking prostheses. Our blinking model was successfully synchronized with blinks of the subjects’ eyelids under experimental conditions without cross talk between the orbicularis oculi muscle and other muscles.ConclusionsAlthough our study revealed several problems, the use of surface electromyographic signals could be a promising and useful technique for synchronizing blinking of the prosthetic eyelid with blinking of the intact eyelid.Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00238-015-1111-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

We successfully fabricated a large maxillofacial prosthesis for replacement of a total mandibular defect resulting from surgical failure to reconstruct the mandible. Although a number of reports have described procedures for fabricating midfacial prostheses, there is little information on prostheses to compensate for total lossof the mandible. A 54-year-old womanwas referred to the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Division of the National CancerCenter Hospital with total loss of the mandible and the surrounding facialsoft tissue. The facial prosthesis we usedto treat this patient is unique in that it is adequately retained without the use of extraoral implants and conventional adhesives. Thisprosthesis is retained by the bilateral auricles andthe remaining upperfrontteeth. We present details of the design of this large silicone maxillofacial prosthesis, with which we successfully rehabilitated the patient.

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