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Sunday, 4 March 2012

"Interface scaffolds" could wire prosthetics directly into amputees' nervous systems


Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have announced a breakthrough in prosthetics that may one day allow artificial limbs to be controlled by their wearers as naturally as organic ones, as well as providing sensations of touch and feeling. The scientists have developed a new interface consisting of a porous, flexible, conductive, biocompatible material through which nerve fibers can grow and act as a sort of junction through which nerve impulses can pass to the prosthesis and data from the prosthesis back to the nerve. If this new interface is successful, it has the potential to one day allow nerves to be connected directly to artificial limbs... Continue Reading "Interface scaffolds" could wire prosthetics directly into amputees' nervous systems
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2 comments:

  1. CthelMonday, 5 March 2012 at 00:03:00 GMT-8

    If this works, I can see it making a big difference to the world - firstly for amputees, obviously, since feedback is what is missing from prostheses; but also further down the line it might make neural interfaces possible (at least in a limited sense) for everyone. Put one of these implants in a healthy person at the correct point, and they should be able to use it to "add an extra limb" - for example a telepresence robotic arm.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jayessellMonday, 5 March 2012 at 10:40:00 GMT-8

    Oh. Yes, I suppose it could be used for that too, but I was wondering if it could be used for other purposes.

    Say, for example, Bluetooth headphone emulation.

    Or... you know. Like in Brainwave.

    ReplyDelete

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