If sensory signals from prostheses are transmitted to the nervous system, this helps leg amputees to perceive their prosthesis as part of their body and they also seem lighter.
Although prosthesis technology is constantly advancing, leg amputees are not always satisfied with their prosthesis. One important reason for this is that people find the weight of the prosthesis too heavy. This is despite the fact that prosthetic legs are usually less than half the weight of a natural limb. Researchers led by Stanisa Raspopovic, Professor at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, have now been able to show that connecting the prostheses to the nervous system helps people to perceive the prosthesis weight as less, which is beneficial for the acceptance of the prostheses.
Together with an international consortium, Raspopovic has therefore developed prostheses in recent years that provide feedback to the wearer's nervous system. This is done via electrodes implanted in the thigh, which are connected to the leg nerves located there. Information from tactile sensors under the sole of the foot and from angle sensors in the electronic prosthetic knee joint is converted into electrical impulses and transmitted to the nerves.
Source: ETH Zurich (Fabio Bergamin)
