Gallery: Design: Prosthetic Flippers Could Help Amputees Swim Again

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    See how the fin was developed.
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    Swedish industrial design student Richard Stark at work on his prototype.
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    Stark sketched early versions of his Neptune fin with “hydrodynamic holes.” But, he says, “my design isn’t about making swimming effortless, since it’s for training.”
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    Another sketch of Stark's design.
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    The fin is divided into three "fingers" — a stiff digit in the ­middle flanked by two pli­able ones.
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    The fin allows wearers to emulate the vaguely circular motion of treading water.
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    Swimmers can use the pliable digits to adjust the Neptune's flexibility to match their strength.
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    The fin can rotate 90 degrees to switch from the sideways kick of the breaststroke to the up-and-down motion of the crawl.
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