A highly integrated bionic hand with neural control and feedback for use in daily life
Journal article, 2023

Restoration of sensorimotor function after amputation has remained challenging because of the lack of human-machine interfaces that provide reliable control, feedback, and attachment. Here, we present the clinical implementation of a transradial neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis—a bionic hand connected directly to the user’s nervous and skeletal systems. In one person with unilateral below-elbow amputation, titanium implants were placed intramedullary in the radius and ulna bones, and electromuscular constructs were created surgically by transferring the severed nerves to free muscle grafts. The native muscles, free muscle grafts, and ulnar nerve were implanted with electrodes. Percutaneous extensions from the titanium implants provided direct skeletal attachment and bidirectional communication between the implanted electrodes and a prosthetic hand. Operation of the bionic hand in daily life resulted in improved prosthetic function, reduced postamputation, and increased quality of life. Sensations elicited via direct neural stimulation were consistently perceived on the phantom hand throughout the study. To date, the patient continues using the prosthesis in daily life. The functionality of conventional artificial limbs is hindered by discomfort and limited and unreliable control. Neuromusculoskeletal interfaces can overcome these hurdles and provide the means for the everyday use of a prosthesis with reliable neural control fixated into the skeleton.

Author

Max Jair Ortiz Catalan

University of Melbourne

Bionics Institute

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Jan Zbinden

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Jason Millenaar

Integrum AB

Daniele D’Accolti

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)

Marco Controzzi

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)

F. Clemente

Prensilia

Leonardo Cappello

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)

Eric Earley

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Enzo Mastinu

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Justyna Kolankowska

Integrum AB

Maria Munoz-Novoa

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Stewe Jönsson

TeamOlmed

C. Cipriani

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)

Paolo Sassu

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Rickard Brånemark

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

University of Gothenburg

Integrum AB

Science Robotics

24709476 (eISSN)

Vol. 8 83 eadf7360

Subject Categories

Surgery

Neurosciences

Orthopedics

DOI

10.1126/scirobotics.adf7360

PubMed

37820004

More information

Latest update

10/24/2023