Summary:
UCLA Researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a novel finger prosthetic attachment mechanism and skin-transfer procedure that allows for better prosthetic motion and functionality while allowing the user to feel “natural” sensations.
Background:
Limb amputations typically cause a loss of function that can interfere with activities of daily living. More specifically, having an amputated finger inhibits a person from performing some of the most basic tasks. Current prostheses lack the sensory feedback mechanism to take in data from external environments and convert it into “natural” sensation for the user. Commercial finger prosthetic devices are unable to communicate neural sensation (touch/proprioception) to the human nervous system and cannot integrate with the skeletal system, causing a lack of sensation and embodiment. There remains an unmet need for next-generation finger prosthesis attachment/implantation that offer sensation and embodiment of the prosthesis.
Innovation:
Professor Clites and colleagues developed a method combining surgical and mechanical solutions to transfer sensate skin onto an implantable prosthetic device. The prosthetic contains a key linkage mechanism, commonly used in robotic fingers, that can be attached under the skin and directly to the bone. The prosthetic mechanical finger is better able to mimic the motions and functionalities of a real finger, giving the user more functional outcomes. A surgical method to cover the prosthesis in skin has also been developed. By utilizing natural human skin, the user benefits from innate biological sensory receptors that should allow them to feel what the prosthesis is “feeling”. This skin transfer technique has been successfully demonstrated on both cadaver and rat models.
Patent:
Skin-covered, linkage-driven implantable prosthesis
Potential Applications:
• Finger prostheses
• Novel attachment method for prostheses
• Skin transfer technique for prostheses
Advantages:
• Flexible attachment mechanism
• Sensation feeling from skin transfer procedure
• Increased mobility and functionality
Development to Date:
Successfully demonstrated attachment on cadaver and rat models
Related Papers:
Reference: UCLA Case No. 2022-298
Lead Inventor:
Tyler Clites