Researchers from Johns Hopkins have restored the feelings of sensation to hand amputees. The researchers have developed an innovative “electronic skin.” The skin – when placed over prosthetic hands – allow users to feel both pain and pressure. Amputees have also regained their sense of touch, according to a Johns Hopkins press release.
Amputees frequently describe sensations of a “phantom limb.” Those patients claim they feel that their missing body parts are still there. The phenomenon is often explained as a cognitive illusion. The new “electronic skin”, on the other hand, represents the first-time amputees can feel actual sensation in their missing body parts.
The “electronic skin” is made of fabric and rubber. It is lined with hyper-sensitive sensors – called e-dermis - that can stimulate peripheral nerves in patients’ arms. Those nerves, in turn, can transmit sensations to the brain.
Although a huge leap in advancement, the “electronic skin” is still a work-in-progress. It cannot yet sense temperature. The skin also has not yet been tested on lower-extremity amputees.
E-dermis was developed by a team of researchers, including biomedical engineers, electrical/computer engineers, and neurology specialists. Scientists from the Singapore Institute of Neurotechnology also contributed to the project.
The study was recently published in the journal Science Robotics.