Bidirectional bionic limbs: a perspective bridging technology and physiology
Cristian Pasluosta, Patrick Kiele, Paul Čvančara, Silvestro Micera, Oskar C. Aszmann, Thomas Stieglitz
Abstract
Precise control of bionic limbs relies on robust decoding of motor commands from nerves or muscles signals and sensory feedback from artificial limbs to the nervous system by interfacing the afferent nerve pathways. Implantable devices for bidirectional communication with bionic limbs have been developed in parallel with research on physiological alterations caused by an amputation. In this perspective article, we question whether increasing our effort on bridging these technologies with a deeper understanding of amputation pathophysiology and human motor control may help to overcome pressing stalls in the next generation of bionic limbs.
Topics & Concepts
Bridging (networking)Perspective (graphical)Computer scienceCognitive scienceHuman–computer interactionArtificial intelligencePsychologyComputer networkMuscle activation and electromyography studiesNeuroscience and Neural EngineeringAdvanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials