• Corpus ID: 40946341

A Novel Targeted Sensory Reinnervation Method to Enhance Feedback and Improve Function of Myoelectric Prostheses after Upper Limb Amputation

@inproceedings{Marasco2012ANT,
  title={A Novel Targeted Sensory Reinnervation Method to Enhance Feedback and Improve Function of Myoelectric Prostheses after Upper Limb Amputation},
  author={Paul D. Marasco},
  year={2012}
}

• P. Marasco
• Published 2012
• Biology, Medicine, Psychology

Traumatic amputation of the arm results in devastating consequences. In comparison to body powered prosthesis, myoelectric prostheses offer a number of advantages including natural control using a patient’s own muscle signals to operate the device. However, even with improved motor control, the lack of sensory feedback from the prosthetic hand remains a formidable barrier that severely limits the use of the prosthesis for fine dexterous tasks. In this study, we set out to investigate the feasibility of a new surgical procedure for transhumeral amputees that would allow the regenerating sensory nerve fibres from the median and ulnar nerves to reach the target sensory receptors some distance away from the reinnervated muscle in a shorter amount of time. We started with cadaver dissections to investigate the feasibility of different re-routing options of sensory nerves to target cutaneous nerves in the residual limb. We used the information gained from the anatomic study as a roadmap and applied the procedure on a patient with transhumeral amputation. We then studied the sensory outcomes by applying a sensory feedback device to connect the terminal device of a robotic myoelectric training tool to the area of reinnervated skin for digital sensory feedback during a functional task. In addition to being able to learn to control the robotic arm quickly, the subject could perform a grab and release task relying entirely on cutaneous sensory feedback without visual guidance. We believe that this new sensory reinnervation approach could bridge an important missing link to enhance the control of myoelectric prosthesis.