Ultra-precise, mind-controlled prosthetic hand for amputees via RPNI neural interface

“It's like you have a hand again”: A new study from the University of Michigan gives amputees natural, finger-level control of a robotic hand: https://spotlight.engin.umich.edu/mind-control-prosthesis/

In this major advance for mind-controlled prosthetics, U-M research led by Paul Cederna and Cindy Chestek demonstrates an ultra-precise prosthetic interface technology that taps faint latent signals from nerves in the arm and amplifies them to enable real-time, intuitive, finger-level control of a robotic hand.

For in-depth coverage of the research:
https://spotlight.engin.umich.edu/mind-control-prosthesis/

U-M’s approach centers on the Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI)—a small graft of muscle tissue surgically attached to the end of a severed nerve in an amputee’s arm.

While other neural interfaces are harmful to nerves, the RPNI promotes healthy nerve growth and acts as a bioamplifier, converting faint neural signals sent from the brain into large, recordable muscle signals that remain stable for years. Combined with machine learning algorithms, these signals enable intuitive, real-time mind control of advanced robotic prosthetic hands.

The research is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine and is titled, "A regenerative peripheral nerve interface allows real-time control of an artificial hand in upper limb amputees."
http://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aay2857

See it covered in:
Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/a-deft-robotic-hand/
MIT Technology Review: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615311/implant-machine-learning-amputees-control-prosthetic-hands-ai/
Stat News: https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/04/surgery-ai-give-amputees-more-precise-control-of-prosthetic-hand/

Paul Cederna is the Robert Oneal Collegiate Professor of Plastic Surgery and a professor of biomedical engineering.
https://bme.umich.edu/people/paul-cederna/

Cindy Chestek is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and part of U-M’s Robotics Institute.
https://chestekresearch.engin.umich.edu/

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