Prosthetics with a sense of touch have long been an unreachable goal for individuals. But technological breakthroughs are making it a reality, unlocking new levels of function and freedom.

This article examines how advanced materials and AI contribute to this sensory revolution and how it changes lives.

Technological Advancements in Sensory Prosthetics

Technological advancements in sensory prosthetics are bringing artificial limbs closer to mimicking natural functions, using innovations like sensory feedback and AI.

Sensory Feedback

Prosthetics has seen remarkable advancements, especially in sensory feedback, which is a system that allows you to sense sensations such as texture, temperature, and force.

Innovations like electronic skin (e-skin) have opened new possibilities for prosthetic limbs. E-skin contains sensors that send signals to your peripheral nerves, mimicking natural sensations.

These advancements have led to:

• Bionic Skin Sensitive to Light Touches: Enables you to detect gentle contact.
• Haptic Feedback via Vibrations: Simulates real touch sensations.
• Pressure Sensors for Grip Sensation: Enhances grasp control for objects.

The integration of highly conductive nanomaterials has further improved feedback mechanisms, making interactions with the environment more intuitive and effortless.

Machine Learning and AI

The introduction of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) has drastically transformed the prosthetics industry. AI-powered prosthetic limbs now offer a level of adaptability and personalization that was once unimaginable.

Machine learning algorithms incorporated into these devices learn and adapt to your movement patterns and intentions, creating a more personalized and intuitive experience.

AI-driven prosthetics can:

• Adjusts grip strength in real-time based on user behavior.
• Automates complex tasks to reduce cognitive load.
• Improves sensory response through feedback refinement.
• Boosts precision for a variety of everyday tasks.

This combination of AI and machine learning not only makes prosthetic limbs feel more natural but also significantly enhances your ability to perform daily activities with ease and efficiency.

However, it’s important to note that not all types of amputation allow prosthetic limbs to detect the neurological impulses necessary for movement. As a result, these advanced devices may not be suitable for individuals with severely damaged or nonfunctional nerve endings.

Materials Used

Silicone-based prosthetic skins mimic natural skin, offering a realistic appearance and feel. The development of a malleable, self-healing, and recyclable material infused with silver nanoparticles represents an enhancement in prosthetic skin functionality.

Rubber and silicone-based materials are commonly used in prosthetic components. These materials provide improved flexibility and durability, ensuring that prosthetics can withstand various everyday activities.

Whether carrying a shopping bag, engaging in sports, or even playing musical instruments, these materials play a crucial role in making prosthetics functional and reliable for all tasks.

The rise of 3D printing has taken customization to the next level by enabling the creation of artificial hand, leg, and other part that are not only lightweight and cost-effective but also tailored precisely to the your body.

One of the most impactful applications is the customizable socket, which ensures a snug and comfortable fit by molding the prosthetic directly to your residual limb. This reduces discomfort and enhances overall functionality.

Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing reduces production time and material waste, making prosthetics more accessible and affordable. Learn more about how 3D-printed prosthetics work.

By combining the advancements in materials like silicone, rubber, and 3D printing technologies, the prosthetics industry continues to evolve to offer more functional, comfortable, and affordable solutions.

Prosthetics with a Sense of Touch

Advancements in prosthetic technology are revolutionizing the lives of amputees, particularly those with a missing hand, by integrating sensory feedback. These devices allow users to feel sensations like pressure, temperature, and texture.

Two groundbreaking devices, Psyonic’s Ability Hand and Mobius Bionics’ LUKE Arm, are at the forefront of sensory prosthetic technology.

Psyonic’s Ability Hand

When 7-year-old Aadeel Akhtar met a girl in Pakistan who used a tree branch as a crutch because her family couldn’t afford a prosthetic leg, he was inspired to create affordable artificial limbs.

In 2015, Akhtar founded Psyonic which created the Ability Hand—the first-ever bionic hand that offers touch feedback. Its early testing with amputees, who lost a left hand during a border war between Peru and Ecuador in 1979, demonstrated the device’s ability to restore basic hand movements and improve users’ quality of life.

Key Features of the Ability Hand

• Touch Feedback: Pressure sensors on key fingers create vibrations that mimic the sensation of touch, helping you gauge grip strength and release.
• Variety of Grip Patterns: It offers versatility for daily activities with 32 available grip patterns, including 19 pre-defined ones.
• User Control: Muscle sensors placed on the residual limb and a Bluetooth-connected smartphone app allow you and clinicians to change grip sets and EMG and Touch Sensor responsiveness.
• Multi-articulated Design: It features advanced articulation, allowing all five fingers to flex and extend naturally. Plus, the thumb has both electrical and manual rotation, allowing you to perform a wide range of tasks with enhanced control and precision.

Akhtar also mentions that several research partners, such as the Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh, are developing brain and spinal cord implants to further enhance the control of prostheses.

These implants could stimulate the brain areas responsible for sensory intake, allowing the patient to feel the pressure when they touch the fingers of the prosthetic hand, bringing them one step closer to true sensory feedback.

Mobius Bionics' The LUKE Arm

The LUKE Arm by Mobius Bionics is a groundbreaking prosthetic arm that has taken a major leap forward in providing amputees with a functional and lifelike limb.

It was developed over 15 years, tapping into the user’s nerves to send signals back to the brain to mimic a sense of human touch. This unique technology allows you to feel sensations such as pressure, temperature, and texture, improving your ability to interact with the environment.

The device is placed directly onto the amputation site, where tiny robotic components are fitted into the socket, ensuring seamless functionality and enhanced control.

Key Features of the LUKE Arm

• Tactile Feedback: It can be triggered by sensors in the thumb or when switching grip patterns, providing you with a sense of touch to improve interaction with objects.
• Multiple Grip Patterns: The LUKE Arm is pre-programmed with various grip patterns, including power grip, tool grip, fine pinch, and lateral pinch. These grips enable you to grasp different objects, from larger items like bottles to delicate items requiring fine precision.
• Proportional Speed Control: This feature allows you to control the speed of movements based on input intensity, enabling more fluid and controlled interactions with objects based on touch feedback.
• Conforming Grasp: The powered fingers of the LUKE Arm—thumb, index finger, and combined middle, ring, and pinky—allow the hand to conform to objects of varying shapes and sizes, enhancing the sense of touch during gripping tasks.

The LUKE Arm exemplifies how technology can restore both physical function and sensory experience to amputees, transforming lives and redefining the potential of prosthetic devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there prosthetics that can feel?

Yes, researchers have been developing prosthetic limbs that can provide natural sensory feedback, allowing users to better control the device and regain a sense of agency over their robotic limb.

What are the four types of prosthetics?

The four types of prosthetics are transradial, transhumeral, transtibial, and transfemoral. Each serves a different function depending on the missing body part.

Can bionic limbs feel?

Bionic limbs can provide sensation, allowing intuitive control and natural flow from the artificial device. This is achieved through the connection of the remaining nerves or muscles above the level of amputation to the prosthetic device sensors.

What are sensory prosthetics?

Sensory prosthetics enhance your interaction with their environment by providing sensory feedback and improving natural perception and intuition.

How do AI and machine learning improve prosthetics?

Machine learning and AI enhance prosthetics by enabling them to learn and adapt to your movement patterns and intentions, providing a more personalized and intuitive experience. This helps improve functionality and user experience significantly.