Guests in UCBM the project partners
Two years after the start of the project, it took place in person for the first time, at theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, SOMA plenary meeting, the project led by prof Loredana Zollo, head of the Advanced Robotics and Person-Centered Technologies Unit (CREO Lab), funded by the EU and winner of the FET Open Horizon 2020 call. This is a study that faces various challenges in the field of upper limb neuroprostheses, because it aims to develop low-invasive solutions for interfacing with the peripheral nervous system, as an alternative to neural electrodes, which instead require to be surgically implanted in the nerves of the amputee. The heart of the project is the use of miniaturized interface systems for the return of a vast range of somatic sensations and aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the interface developed on an amputee.
The research sees the collaboration of an international network which includes the Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik, L 'University College of London, L 'Imperial College London, L 'University of Naples Federico II, L 'autonomous University of Barcelona. UCBM is responsible for the development of the sensorized prosthesis and the coding techniques of somatic and stimulation sensations through miniaturized systems, as well as the integration and validation of the SOMA prosthetic system, comparing it with both transcutaneous and neural state-of-the-art stimulation techniques. The CREO Lab, in collaboration with the Clinical Units of Neurology, Orthopedics and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, will therefore coordinate the final experimentation on humans. The prostheses will be able to feel and transmit tactile, thermal and even pain sensitivity to the amputee. To allow such sensory and motor control of the prostheses, the researchers plan to develop an in vitro model of muscle and skin equipped with nerve endings, making use of the most advanced engineering technologies.
Among the guests of the event in UCBM il prof. Paolo Netti of the Federico II University of Naples and achievement prof. Xavier Navarro Acebes of the University of Barcelona.
