In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of artificial prostheses, and researchers have succeeded in designing different methods that allow the disabled person to control the artificial limb through their nerves. But this relationship is one-way. And the artificial prosthesis is not able to send the message back to the brain.
The researchers of the Medical Services Center for Retired Soldiers in Cleveland, in cooperation with the scientists of Case Western Reserve University in the United States, have designed a new system called the cuff electrode, which can transmit the sense of touch from the artificial limb to the brain. This system is able to transmit pressure data from 20 points of the artificial hand to the peripheral nerves of the body and create a sense of touch for the disabled person.
To use this method, scientists used 7 mm electrodes. They implanted these electrodes in the patient’s arm to stimulate the nerve network. By squeezing and contracting his nerves, the patient can transmit the signal through the myelin sheath.
According to researchers, in today’s technologies, electrodes are placed directly in contact with nerve cells to increase sensitivity, but this method is not suitable for long-term use.
The researchers say that unlike existing technologies, the electrode cuff device is very durable because an electrical connection with the nerve tissue allows this new technology to be used to match real prostheses.
The cuff electrode system has been successfully tested on two patients for 18 months.
Researchers hope that by developing an artificial hand with the ability to create a sense of touch, they can provide the disabled person with the ability to perform complex tasks that are impossible or impractical with the help of existing artificial organs.
Article reference: www.irna.ir
