Research for amputees aims to create prostheses that can mimic the performance of the lost limb. A significant advancement in this field is a new neuroprosthetic interface that enables a bionic leg to fully respond to the nervous system, enhancing walking speed and natural movement. This innovation has shown a 41% increase in walking speed for below-knee amputees compared to traditional prostheses, with improved performance on various terrains like stairs, slopes, and paths with obstacles.
Proprioception, our sixth sense that provides awareness of our body parts’ positions in space, is crucial for movement regulation. The new interface successfully transmits neural control information to the prosthesis while returning the user’s proprioceptive sensations. This integration helps the user feel more connected to the prosthetic limb, making movements feel more natural and effortless.
The procedure detailing this breakthrough was published in Nature Medicine, with researcher Hugh Herr from MIT leading the study. According to Herr, this level of brain control over a prosthesis has never been demonstrated before, resulting in a gait that closely resembles that of a non-amputee. The interface established connections between agonist-antagonist muscle pairs, enabling the brain to command natural movements in the bionic limb.
The brain’s adaptability is essential in controlling the prosthetic limb with minimal neural input. With just 18% of biological neural information, the brain can effectively restore functional gait control, showcasing a significant scientific discovery. Future research aims to enhance control by implementing small magnetic spheres to monitor muscle dynamics accurately.
The ultimate goal is to establish a seamless connection between the peripheral nervous system, electromechanics, and synthetic prosthetics to create a sense of personification in users. The researchers believe that this study marks a substantial step towards achieving complete neural control and embodiment of prosthetic limbs in the future.