Myoelectric prostheses

The whole premise for the project has been that people living with paralysis or missing limbs will only be able to manipulate objects by controlling their robotic prostheses directly from their brain, and are able to sense what they are touching.


Its latest breakthrough is subtle enough for the paralysed volunteer to identify exactly which mechanical finger has been touched -- even if two are touched at once. In order to achieve this, it was necessary to place electrode arrays onto the volunteer's sensory cortex -- the region of the brain that identifies tactile sensations and the motor cortex -- the region of the brain that directs body movements. Wires were then run from the motor cortex to the prosthesis.

"We've completed the circuit," said Justin Sanchez, who manages the Darpa programme. "Prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by thoughts are showing great promise, but without feedback from signals traveling back to the brain it can be difficult to achieve the level of control needed to perform precise movements. By wiring a sense of touch from a mechanical hand directly into the brain, this work shows the potential for seamless bio-technological restoration of near-natural function."

Icelandic company Ossur announced that brain controlled prostheses would be widely available within a couple of years.

Bristol-based Open Bionics at the final of Intel's Make It Wearable competition at the end of 2014. Only last month, the company, which 3D prints custom-made lightweight prosthetics that can cheaply and quickly be fitted to those with missing limbs.


Myoelectric prostheses

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-09/14/darpa-creates-feeling-prosthetic-arm