Hand prostheses are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can perform highly dexterous motor actions. However, generation of effective sensory feedback that enables users to move and apply force with sufficient precision to perform everyday tasks remains a challenge. A new report shows that intraneuronal implantation of electrodes into the median and ulnar nerves could present a viable solution for sensory feedback. Electrical stimulation was generated by artificial sensors in a prosthesis and transmitted through electrodes implanted in three patients with transradial amputation. The patients were able to use this sensory feedback to perform delicate motor tasks such as picking up eggs. Participants also reported decreased phantom limb pain and improved mood by the end of the 6-month study. The team suggests that this approach should now be tested in a larger patient cohort.
References
Original article
Petrini, F. M. et al. Six-months assessment of a hand prosthesis with intraneural tactile feedback. Ann. Neurol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.25384 (2018)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ridler, C. Intraneuronal implants enable long-term tactile sensation in patients with hand amputation. Nat Rev Neurol 15, 2 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-018-0122-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-018-0122-8