Bionic hand allows amputees to 'feel'
Researchers at the Translational Neural Engineering Laboratory (TNE) at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne are to fit an unnamed man in his 20's with a 'revolutionary' bionic hand that allows amputees to feel what they are touching.
The IH2 Azzurra Hand, created by Italian firm Prensilia, is designed to connect to the human nervous system, allowing the wearer to control its movement as well as received tactile signals.
The research has been directed by Dr Silvestro Micera, who says on the TNE website that the goal of the work is to develop implantable neural interfaces and robotic systems aimed at restoring sensation and motor functions in people with a range of disabilities.
Amongst the work being pursued is: robotic systems for neurorehabilitation; experiments for the investigation of motor control; neural interfaces to the peripheral nervous system; and hybrid neuroprosthetic systems.
The group has three main devices under development. One is a hand prosthesis bidirectionally controlled by using intraneural interfaces, while a hybrid neuroprosthesis is being developed to restore locomotion after spinal injury. Finally, TNE is developing a neuroprosthesis for the restoration of vestibular function.
