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WiFi Myo-Hand

Implantable system optimized for the interface with the peripheral nervous system and the control of the upper limb prosthesis

Project objectives

The human hand represents the main interface between the individual and the outside world, being able to perform sophisticated movements, manipulate objects, interact with the environment. It is characterized by a complex mechanical structure and a sophisticated sensory system that allow grasping and manipulation tasks to be carried out efficiently through bidirectional communication with the brain. The loss of a hand involves the interruption of this communication and could cause impairments related to both motor control and sensory feedback with consequent alteration of the quality of life both in the personal and work spheres. In fact, the ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs), to interact with other people and to carry out tasks related to the work sphere are particularly impaired.
There are 3 million people in the world with upper limb amputations. In Italy there are approximately 4.000 upper limb amputations per year, and 80% of these concern the hand. The current low level of user satisfaction with comfort, appearance, functionality and the presence of sensory feedback has led to a high percentage of abandonment of the use of prostheses. Despite the scientific and technological development in the international panorama of the neuroprosthetics sector, in particular in relation to the restitution of sensory feedback and therefore to the closed-loop control of prostheses, providing patients with solutions for chronic use that provide realistic and reliable sensations remains an open challenge . INAIL has played a leading role in this area for years, also on an international level. On the other hand UCBM boasts decades of experience in this field and generally recognized experience in the organic sectorsingrehabilitation engineering, prosthetics and biomedical robotics. It is also directly connected to the University Hospital which in turn hosts various clinical research units active in the fields of orthopaedics, neurology, physical and rehabilitation medicine and prosthetic assistance.
In consideration of this, this project aims to continue with scientific, technological and clinical advances on prosthetic systems for the upper limb, with particular reference to the development of nerve/electrode interaction models, for the optimization of the developed interfacing system within the PPR AS 1/3 project, neural stimulation systems, in order to achieve a completely implantable system for chronic use, and in general interfacing solutions with the peripheral nervous system on both the efferent and afferent channels. In particular, techniques will be studied on the efferent channel to identify neural activity, starting from the muscle signal, responsible for generating motor commands, with the aim of improving control of the prosthesis and managing a greater number of degrees of freedom in a more natural way. .
The ultimate aim is to optimize the prosthetic system developed within the PPR2 and PPR AS 1/3 projects with the introduction of highly miniaturized, stable and biocompatible components for a long-lasting implant which therefore allows the use of these technologies extensively in everyday life contexts.

Start and end date

December 2020 - December 2023

Project Manager

Loredana Zollo - Principal Investigator

Coordinating institution of the project

UCBM

Funding source(s).

• National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work INAIL
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