November 22, 2009

Small University Accuses Stanford of Cribbing Idea for New Artificial Knee

Small University Accuses Stanford U. of Cribbing Idea for New Artificial Knee 1

Tom Barnard, LeTourneau U.

Some student researchers at Stanford U. were recognized by "Time" magazine for inventing a prosthetic knee (left) that a team at LeTourneau U., in Texas, says is very similar to one it developed earlier (right).

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close Small University Accuses Stanford U. of Cribbing Idea for New Artificial Knee 1

Tom Barnard, LeTourneau U.

Some student researchers at Stanford U. were recognized by "Time" magazine for inventing a prosthetic knee (left) that a team at LeTourneau U., in Texas, says is very similar to one it developed earlier (right).

By Katherine Mangan

A blocky artificial knee joint that can be produced for around $20 is at the heart of a dispute between Stanford University and LeTourneau University, a small Christian institution in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Student researchers at both universities have developed strikingly similar models with the goal of helping transform the lives of amputees in developing countries.

So when Time magazine last month