A sensory-motor hand prosthesis with integrated thermal feedback.
Translation to patients
amputees
phantom limb
prosthetic hand
sensory feedback
thermal feedback
Journal
Med (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 2666-6340
Titre abrégé: Med
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101769215
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 Feb 2024
09 Feb 2024
Historique:
received:
28
07
2023
revised:
29
09
2023
accepted:
07
12
2023
medline:
11
2
2024
pubmed:
11
2
2024
entrez:
10
2
2024
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Recently, we reported the presence of phantom thermal sensations in amputees: thermal stimulation of specific spots on the residual arm elicited thermal sensations in their missing hands. Here, we exploit phantom thermal sensations via a standalone system integrated into a robotic prosthetic hand to provide real-time and natural temperature feedback. The subject (a male adult with unilateral transradial amputation) used the sensorized prosthesis to manipulate objects and distinguish their thermal properties. We tested his ability to discriminate between (1) hot, cold, and ambient temperature objects, (2) different materials (copper, glass, and plastic), and (3) artificial versus human hands. We also introduced the thermal box and block test (thermal BBT), a test to evaluate real-time temperature discrimination during standardized pick-and-place tasks. The subject performed all three discrimination tasks above chance level with similar accuracies as with his intact hand. Additionally, in all 15 sessions of the thermal BBT, he correctly placed more than half of the samples. Finally, the phantom thermal sensation was stable during the 13 recording sessions spread over 400 days. Our study paves the way for more natural hand prostheses that restore the full palette of sensations. This work was funded by the Bertarelli Foundation (including the Catalyst program); the Swiss National Science Foundation through the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Robotics; the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program; the Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Program; the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP); and the Tuscany Health Ecosystem.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Recently, we reported the presence of phantom thermal sensations in amputees: thermal stimulation of specific spots on the residual arm elicited thermal sensations in their missing hands. Here, we exploit phantom thermal sensations via a standalone system integrated into a robotic prosthetic hand to provide real-time and natural temperature feedback.
METHODS
METHODS
The subject (a male adult with unilateral transradial amputation) used the sensorized prosthesis to manipulate objects and distinguish their thermal properties. We tested his ability to discriminate between (1) hot, cold, and ambient temperature objects, (2) different materials (copper, glass, and plastic), and (3) artificial versus human hands. We also introduced the thermal box and block test (thermal BBT), a test to evaluate real-time temperature discrimination during standardized pick-and-place tasks.
FINDINGS
RESULTS
The subject performed all three discrimination tasks above chance level with similar accuracies as with his intact hand. Additionally, in all 15 sessions of the thermal BBT, he correctly placed more than half of the samples. Finally, the phantom thermal sensation was stable during the 13 recording sessions spread over 400 days.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Our study paves the way for more natural hand prostheses that restore the full palette of sensations.
FUNDING
BACKGROUND
This work was funded by the Bertarelli Foundation (including the Catalyst program); the Swiss National Science Foundation through the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Robotics; the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program; the Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Program; the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP); and the Tuscany Health Ecosystem.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38340707
pii: S2666-6340(23)00404-X
doi: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.12.006
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
118-125.e5Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of interests S.M. holds shares in SensArs, which aims to develop bionic limbs for amputees. F.I., J.M., O.A., S.M., and S.S. are co-inventors of a thermal-sensing device and sensory feedback system and method using said thermal-sensing device.