Mind-Controlled Prosthetics

By Matthew Garibaldi

Is it real?• The “Modular

Prosthetic Limb” has been developed by the company DARPA!

• It’s a highly articulated, computer-driven device that can receive signals from the human brain and transmit those signals to the brain

Yup!

That’s so cool!

• The thought of pairing an artificial limb with an organic brain is like something out of science fiction!

• DARPA is developing a mind-controlled prosthetic arm called “Luke”, in honor of Luke Skywalker

How does it work?

• The surgical procedure “targeted muscle reinnervation” (TMR) reassigns nerves into a residual limb to make better use of a prosthetic replacement!

• Osseointegration is a procedure that allows patients to connect prosthetic devices directly to the bone

Are there limitations?The robotic fingertips contain tactile sensors that detect texture, pressure and temperature, yet for the user to feel that, these signals need to reach the brain

Can that be fixed?

• Yes, and in the not-too-distant future!!

• A procedure would involve two small devices that are directly wired to the brain’s somatosensory cortex, along nerve bundles in the chest and back of a user!

• Information beamed wirelessly from the prosthetic limb would stimulate the cortex!

• It’s basically a closed circuit that melds synthetic and biological wires

The future

• DARPA is working to fine-tune sensory implants, as well as implants that transmit information the other way to replace wearable devices!

• Early versions of these devices are already being tested on humans, and the technology can both restore a sense of touch and dramatically reduce “phantom limb” pain