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.