Sensory Feedback for Lower Extremity Prostheses Incorporating Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)

Abstract

We seek to improve stair descent for lower limb amputees by providing sensory feedback of foot placement. An increasing number of amputees are receiving a nerve transfer surgery, Targeted Reinnervation, that can have profound sensory effects. Touches at the site of the surgery can feel like they are originating from the amputated limb. This capability is an unprecedented opportunity to provide sensory feedback that is intuitive and useful, but sensory recovery after the surgery is not well understood. Therefore the two Specific Aims of this project are to (1) Systematically map and characterize the sensory capabilities of lower extremity Targeted Reinnervation (TR) sites under tactile stimulation, and (2) Measure the effects of vibrotactile cues of foot placement on stair descent of transtibial amputees. This year we have: created the first speed-adapting stair descent machine; developed new tactile stimulators that we expect to use in later stages of this project; and completed baseline studies to calibrate technologies and protocols on participants without amputation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1048284

Entities

People

  • Eric Rombokas

Organizations

  • Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amputation
  • Amputees
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Feedback
  • Lower Extremity
  • Lower Limb Amputees
  • Lower Limb Prostheses
  • Medical Personnel
  • Prostheses And Implants
  • Prosthetics
  • Residual Limbs
  • Surgery
  • Surgical Amputations
  • Virtual Reality

Readers

  • Facility/Structural Engineering.
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.