Over 1.7 million people in the United States use a prosthetic limb. The use of prostheses is associated with stigma, and modern prosthetics are often described as uncomfortable or difficult to use. However, recent advancements in prosthetic technology have shown a positive outlook for the future of precise, efficient artificial limbs.
The report "Robotic Leg Control with EMG Decoding in an Amputee with Nerve Transfers" by Dr. Levi Hargrove describes a case study in which a 31-year-old male patient who had received a through-knee amputation was treated using electromyographic (EMG) signals to measure his muscle responses to nerve stimulation. This data was then used to control his prosthetic joints. The patient's amputation surgery was comparable to targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) surgery, which is performed in arm-amputation patients to aid them in controlling robotic arm prosthetics. Similar to the results of TMR surgery, when the patient attempted to flex and point his missing foot, contractions were noticeable in his upper hamstring. Historically, the use of robotic technology in prosthetic knees and ankles has been limited by a suitable mechanism that can send control signals; however, the researchers discovered that, by using EMG signals from the patient's thigh muscles, he could control a robotic leg prosthesis. The prosthetic took in data from sensors and used a pattern-recognition algorithm to determine what movement the patient was attempting to do. Thus, the patient was able to accurately control walking, including on flat ground, stairs, and ramps, and to move his leg while sitting.
Earlier this year, researchers at Stanford University published research on a new type of electronic skin that communicates with the brain, potentially allowing amputees to feel sensations of touch through their prosthetic limbs. The article "Scientists invent electronic skin that gives amputees sense of touch" by Anthony Cuthbertson in The Independent explains that the skin, called the monolithic e-skin, contains temperature, pressure, and strain sensors that convert stimulation to electrical signals similar to nerve impulses. The prototype is about as thick as a piece of paper, and the researchers who developed it have further plans to create a chip that communicates with the brain through the peripheral nerve.
While these studies consider different aspects of the use of prosthetic limbs, they both show great potential in advancing prosthetic technology. Although more research must be done to improve the reliability and comfortability of new prosthesis technology, the strides taken over the past decade have been incredibly promising in improving the quality of life and user experience for amputees.
References
Cuthbertson, A. (2023, May 18). Scientists invent electronic skin that gives amputees sense of touch. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/electronic-skin-amputee-prosthetics-robotics-stanford-b2341451.html
Hargrove, L. J., Simon, A. M., Young, A. J., Lipschutz, R. D., Finucane, S. B., Smith, D. G., & Kuiken, T. A. (2013). Robotic leg control with EMG decoding in an amputee with nerve transfers. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(13), 1237–1242. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1300126
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