New Scientist reports about an article in this week’s Lancet. Prosthetic limbs are getting quite advanced! The article discusses a prosthetic arm that has been attached to a 26-year-old woman. Motor (movement) nerves have been attached in a way to allow for more intuitive control of the limb. She is able to achieve remarkable control and accomplish activities of daily living such as cooking and dressing, albeit a bit more slowly. Below is a video of this remarkable woman demonstrating use of her new arm.
Take a look at the advantage this prosthesis offers over previous ones.
They also attached the sensory nerves to her chest so that if she is touched there, she feels the sensation as if it is coming from her arm. The next step will be to develop a sensory mechanism for the arm and relay the signal to the nerves.
Ancora Imparo 