What is it?
A neural connected sensory prosthesis is a prosthetic that is connected to a persons nervous system and can provide functional and psychosocial experience of having a hand after amputation. In the study conducted by Emily Graczyk and her team, direct nerve interfaces restore naturalistic sensation to these patients. This means that by connecting the prosthesis and sensors to the neural system of the body, the patient can actually feel the sensation of touch. The amputees were given these prosthetics to test in real life situations and found that they were more likely to use their new hand with the new sensations.
Why does it matter?
Amputees often suffer from phantom limb pain where they feel as though they still have their limb, despite it no longer being a part of their body. They also lack the ability or have a difficult time to do things that people with limbs do not give a second thought to like opening a jar or holding a loved ones hands. Giving people the sensation of their hands in their heads is an exceptional way to give these amputees not only functionality back but to allow them to experience normal day to day moments with increased ease.
Read more at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-26952-x
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