Researchers have developed a
next-generation bionic hand that allows amputees to regain their
proprioception. The bionic hand, developed by researchers from EPFL, the
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa and the A. Gemelli University
Polyclinic in Rome, enables amputees to regain a very subtle, close-to-natural
sense of touch. Scientists managed to reproduce the feeling of proprioception,
which is our brain's capacity to instantly and accurately sense the position of
our limbs during and after movement, even in the dark or with our eyes closed.
This next-generation device
allows patients to reach out for an object on a table and to ascertain an
item's consistency, shape, position and size without having to look at it. The
prosthesis has been successfully tested on several patients and works by
stimulating the nerves in the amputee's stump. The nerves can then provide
sensory feedback to the patients in real time – almost like they do in a
natural hand. Results show that amputees can effectively process tactile and
position information received simultaneously via intraneural stimulation.