Next-generation prosthetic restores touch

Image | nerve electrodes

Caption: Implanted peripheral nerve electrodes deliver stimulation directly to the nerve (Emily L. Graczyk)

Audio | Quirks and Quarks : A Bionic Hand Might Finally Be Here - 2016/10/29 - Pt. 2

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The prosthetics that most of us are familiar with are like tools connected to the body. They generally don't give much feedback to the user. In the case of artificial hands, they're often claw-like grabbers. Dr. Dustin Tyler's(external link) lab is working on a next generation prosthetic that restores a human-like sense of touch by tapping into the user's neural network.
It turns out the brain doesn't know the difference between the real hand and the prosthetic. Sound futuristic? Maybe. But this prosthetic system has already made a difference to Keith Vonderheuvel both in the lab and at home. He shares his story with Bob, and Dr. Tyler shares the science behind it.

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