Researchers develop touch-sensitive prosthetic limbs

Originally published on October 16, 2013

Researchers at the University of Chicago announced new findings that could help restoring the sensation of touch for those with artificial hands after completing several experiments on rhesus monkeys.

According to a press release released by the university, the research is laying the groundwork for touch-sensitive prosthetic limbs that could convey real-time sensory information to amputees in the future.

The research's senior author, Silman Bensmaia and his colleagues used rhesus monkeys to understand and develop touch-sensitive prosthetic limbs. Rhesus monkey are believed to have similar sensory systems as human brains.

Researchers first analyzed the patterns of the monkey's neural activity when it processes sensory information during natural object manipulation. Then, they artificially induced the same patterns of neural activity by connecting electrodes to areas of the brain corresponding to each finger and delivering electrical impulses to the appropriate areas of the brain. The result was satisfactory as the animals responded the same way to artificial stimulation as they did to physical contact. They have also developed an algorithm to control the electrical current to see if they could artificially induce pressure sensation, which they succeeded as well.

However, the researchers cautioned prosthetics that restore the sensation of touch are not likely going to be available to patients soon.