Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Business

Neuroprosthetic Device Allows Amputees to Feel Natural Sensations from Prosthetic Legs

Neuroprosthetics have made significant strides in enabling amputees to experience sensations from artificial body parts. A team of researchers at the ETH Zurich Neuroengineering Lab, led by Professor Stanisa Raspopovic, has developed a neuroprosthetic device that allows amputees to feel natural sensations from their prosthetic legs for the first time.

Unlike conventional leg prostheses that primarily offer stability and support, the neuroprosthetic device developed by the ETH researchers is connected to the sciatic nerve in the test subjects’ thigh via implanted electrodes. This electrical connection enables the neuroprosthesis to communicate with the patient’s brain, relaying information on the changes in pressure detected on the sole of the prosthetic foot when walking. This breakthrough has not only given the test subjects greater confidence in their prosthesis but has also enabled them to walk faster on challenging terrains.

Professor Stanisa Raspopovic emphasized the significance of evoking natural sensations with their experimental leg prosthesis, as opposed to the artificial and unpleasant sensations evoked by current neuroprostheses, which rely on time-constant electrical pulses to stimulate the nervous system. In a recently published paper in Nature Communications, Raspopovic and his team highlighted the benefits of using naturally inspired, biomimetic stimulation to develop the next generation of neuroprosthetics.

Natalija Katic, a doctoral student in Raspopovic’s research group, developed a computer model called FootSim to generate biomimetic signals based on data collected by collaborators. The model simulates the activation of nerves in the sole, paving the way for the development of neuroprosthetic devices that can evoke natural sensations, significantly improving the quality of life for amputees.

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *