2023-10-13 11:35:16
Bionic technology allows some people who have suffered limb amputation to recover, in some way, their abilities. However, the majority experience adaptation problems with neuroprostheses and do not end up feeling it as their own, in addition to perceiving phantom pain.
Now, the team led by researcher Max Ortiz Catalan, head of research in neural prostheses at the Bionics Institute de Australia and founder of Center for Bionics and Pain Research (Sweden), composed of engineers and surgeons, has managed to solve these problems by developing a human-machine interface that allows the prosthesis to comfortably adhere to the user’s skeleton through osseointegration, while allowing electrical connection with the nervous system through electrodes implanted in nerves and muscles.
Researchers publish the first case of these new neuromusculoskeletal prostheses, as they are connected to the nerves, muscles and skeleton in the journal ‘Science Robots‘.
20 years ago, Karin suffered a farming accident that amputated her right arm. Since then, she suffers from unbearable phantom pain in her amputated limb. In addition to her intractable pain, she did not adapt to conventional prosthetics.
Karin has been the first patient to receive this revolutionary bionic technology that allows her to wear a much more functional prosthesis. The greater integration between the bionic and Karin’s stump also eased her pain.
“The fact that he has been able to use his prosthesis comfortably and effectively in daily activities for years is a promising testament to the potential of this novel technology for people who have suffered limb loss,” says Ortiz.
The researcher explains that the challenges at this level of amputation are the two bones (radius and ulna) that must be aligned and loaded equally, and that there is not much space available for implanted and prosthetic components.
However, this research team has developed a neuromusculoskeletal implant that allows the user’s biological control system (the nervous system) to be connected to the electronic control system of the prosthesis. «Our integrated approach also accounts for pain reduction“As Karin is now similarly using neural resources to control the prosthesis as she did for her amputated biological hand.”
A key feature of the new bionic technology is the skeletal fixation of the prosthesis through osseointegration; the process by which bone tissue embraces titanium creating a strong mechanical connection.
«By combining osseointegration with reconstructive surgery, implanted electrodes and artificial intelligence (AI), we can restore human function in an unprecedented way. “The below-elbow level of amputation has particular challenges, and the level of functionality achieved marks an important milestone for the entire field of advanced limb reconstructions,” he explains. Richard Brånemarkfrom the University of Gothenburg and executive director of Wholeand pioneer of osseointegration for limb prostheses in humans.
The bionic hand has been developed by the Italian robotics company Prensilia and it’s called Mia Hand. It incorporates unique motor and sensory components that allow the user to perform around 80% of the activities of daily living.
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