SOMA

Ultrasound peripheral interface and in vitro model of the human somatosensory system and muscles for motor decoding and restoration of somatic sensations in amputees

Project objectives

The SOMA project aims to significantly advance the field of upper limb prosthetics by studying the application of ultrasound as an innovative, minimally invasive, bidirectional peripheral interface. It would i) represent an alternative to current neuroelectronic devices used to provide near-natural somatic sensations to amputees, ensuring sensory fiber selectivity and spatial discrimination of hand areas, and ii) outperform current EMG interfaces in decoding motor intentions. The newly developed bidirectional US interface aims to find the best compromise between invasiveness, selectivity, and spatial discrimination for peripheral stimulation, and between invasiveness, robustness, and temporal resolution for recording muscle activity.

Furthermore, SOMA will profoundly improve our understanding of the sensory afferent pathway by providing, for the first time, an in vitro model that replicates the behavior of the human somatosensory system and muscles. The objectives of this model are: i) to investigate the spatiotemporal neural mechanisms of mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and thermoreceptors; ii) to identify novel coding strategies to naturally restore these somatic sensations; and iii) to design, optimize, and robustly validate bidirectional peripheral interfaces prior to in vivo studies.

Start and end date

September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2024

Scientific manager

Responsible for clinical activities

Coordinating institution of the project

Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma

Other institutions involved

Funding source