Cutting Edge Bionics in Highly Impaired Individuals: A Case of Challenges and Opportunities
Journal article, 2024
Highly impaired individuals stand to benefit greatly from cutting-edge bionic technology, however concurrent functional deficits may complicate the adaptation of such technology. Here, we present a case in which a visually impaired individual with bilateral burn injury amputation was provided with a novel transradial neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis comprising skeletal attachment via osseointegration and implanted electrodes in nerves and muscles for control and sensory feedback. Difficulties maintaining implant hygiene and donning and doffing the prosthesis arose due to his contralateral amputation, ipsilateral eye loss, and contralateral impaired vision necessitating continuous adaptations to the electromechanical interface. Despite these setbacks, the participant still demonstrated improvements in functional outcomes and the ability to control the prosthesis in various limb positions using the implanted electrodes. Our results demonstrate the importance of a multidisciplinary, iterative, and patient-centered approach to making cutting-edge technology accessible to patients with high levels of impairment.
osseointegration
burn injury
Bilateral impairment
prosthetic hand
neural interfaces
Author
Eric Earley
Colorado School of Public Health
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control
University of Colorado
Jan Zbinden
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control
Maria Munoz-Novoa
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Fabian Just
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control
Christiana Vasan
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Axel Sjogren Holtz
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)
Mona Emadeldin
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)
Justyna Kolankowska
Integrum AB
Wellspect Healthcare
Bjorn Davidsson
Integrum AB
Alexander Thesleff
Integrum AB
Jason Millenaar
Integrum AB
Corporis Medical
Stewe Jönsson
TeamOlmed
Christian Cipriani
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)
Hannes Granberg
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Paolo Sassu
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna
Rickard Brånemark
Integrum AB
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Max Jair Ortiz Catalan
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control
Bionics Institute
University of Melbourne
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSUP)
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
1534-4320 (ISSN) 1558-0210 (eISSN)
Vol. 32 1013-1022Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)
Neurosciences
Orthopedics
DOI
10.1109/TNSRE.2024.3366530
PubMed
38363669