An illustration of the mind-controlled prosthesis with sensation
Photographer: Illustration: Sara Manca /Yen Strandqvist/Chalmers University of Technology
The neuromusculoskeletal prosthesis has a direct connection to a person´s nerves, muscles and skeleton. The neural interfaces are electrodes wrapped around the severed nerves. The muscular interfaces consist of electrodes implanted on the biceps and triceps muscles. The skeletal interface comprises a titanium screw that is osseointegrated within the bone – meaning that the bone cells are directly attached to it, providing mechanical stability. Part of the skeletal interface extends out of the body through the skin and connects to the prosthetic arm. Electrical connectors embedded in the skeletal interface provide bidirectional communication between the prosthesis and the electrodes implanted in nerves and muscles.