OPENHAND

Project objectives

The objective of the OPENHAND project is to address the problem of complete functional replacement between natural and artificial hands, through the creation of an open platform of hand neuro-prostheses, which can be tested in different clinical contexts through the use of different types of neural interfaces ( intraneural, Cuff, etc.). This is possible through the creation of a cybernetic prosthesis: that is, an anthropomorphic bio-mechatronic hand equipped with actuators and an advanced sensory system, intimately connected to the amputee's nervous system thanks to a neural interface implanted in the peripheral nerves capable of exchanging signals efferent motor and afferent sensory signals. In this way the movement of the prosthesis is voluntarily controllable by thought and the proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensations detected by the artificial sensors naturally perceivable by the person; just like in the natural hand. The possibility of returning a sensory feedback to the person through a direct neural stimulation is however feasible only through the use of peripheral (non-central) interfaces.

The open platform proposed in OPENHAND can then be used as a medical and neuroscientific tool for studying the hand-brain connection and the human motor control system. In fact, the study of the characteristics of neural signals will allow us to better understand the functioning of the neural system. This is important not only for the expansion of neuroscientific knowledge, but also for diagnostic purposes (identification of neurological dysfunctions), therapeutics (through the ability to stimulate) or pharmacological research (to study the effect of drugs or drugs on guinea pigs) . Furthermore, through investigations on humans with movement analysis techniques during basic gripping and manipulation tasks, it will be possible to study the mechanisms of motion generation and finger coordination implemented by the human control system.

Start and end date

01/02/2010 - 31/01/2012

Project Manager

Prof. Eugenio Guglielmelli

Coordinating institution of the project

Sant'Anna High School of PISA

Other Institutions involved

• Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
• University of Cagliari

Funding source(s).

MIUR Ministry of Education, University and Research-PRIN 2008 tender