1. Technology Show and Tell
A bionic hand that lets an amputee actually feel in real time. Typically when
amputees get prosthetic implants, robotic or not, there are limitations. The inability for
the individual to actually feel what their extremity is coming into contact with limits it’s
functionality. Especially if it is a robotic hand, the individual is not able to tell how hard
to squeeze, or be able to control what it is touching. This all has the possibility to change.
A team of doctors and scientists from Switzerland and Italy has developed a prosthetic
limb that allows the wearer to feel what they are gripping. They performed surgery on a
man from Denmark, implanting transneural electrodes in the ulnar and median nerves of
the amputee. These electrodes were connected at the other end of the prosthetic hand,
which senses when the hand was touching something by measuring the tension in the
artificial tendons that control the movement of the fingers. The information gathered
from the sensors is converted into an electrical current that is translated into an impulse
that the nervous system is able to interpret. In the initial trials, the individual was
blindfolded and had their ears plugged so they could focus entirely on their sense of
touch. They ended up actually being able to tell not only how hard they were ripping, but
also the consistency of the object, and even its shape.
Here is a picture from the test:
The full article can be found at http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-576185831/bionic-hand-lets-amputee-feel-in-real-time/

2. I think that this technology has some pretty obvious benefits. Obviously, it is pretty
amazing that amputees could use their limbs again and actually be able to feel what they
are handling. This could dramatically increase the quality of life of those who have had to
lose their limbs. This article, however, does not mention the cost of this new technology.
I would assume that to begin with, this operation and technology would be expensive to
use. As with most new technologies though, hopefully its cost will become more
affordable. This technology would have a direct impact on amputees’ lives on a daily
basis. This is a pretty amazing development and I look forward to seeing how it continues
to evolve!