The
journal “Tactile prosthetics in WiseSkin” was published in
the Date ’15 Journal of this year. This paper explores the answer to one of
artificial limbs’ major issues; the inability to assess pressure exerted by the
prosthetic controlled by the user. Prosthetic.
This
issue effects the users ability to grip objects with a prosthetic hand or allow
the user to receive incoming information about objects touching the prosthetic.
This
journal works to determine the proper amount of tactile receptors should be
placed around a prosthetic and the development of a wireless sensor that
operates on low power usage that can be embedded in artificial skin undetected.
Sensors developed must be able to send signals to the user through the use of a
sensor node that can be invasively implanted into the user’s brain or strap on
to the users arm.
The
smart skin or “Wise Skin” is produced in sheets composed of several layers, one
layer being full of electrodes and others as protective layers to support the
electrode sensors and protect them. The skin is then fitted on a prosthetic
hand or leg to give tactile information to the user.
In
addition to tactile sensation the development of an electrode sensor that can
detect temperature is currently taking place by the same company. The invention
of this technology is restoring all function of a normal limb to the prosthetic
user.
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| http://www.ageekyworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/skin5.jpg |
Farserotu, J., Decotignie, J., Baborowski, J., Volpe, P.,
Quirós, C., Kopta, V., . . . Antfolk, C. (2015). Tactile Prosthetics in
WiseSkin. Date '15, 1(1), 1695-1697. Retrieved from Google
Scholar.
This new technology seems fantastic, gone are the days of the Peter Pan style hook. I have two questions about this study. My first question is how fragile is the “wiseskin”? If you accidentally touch a hot skillet will you sense the burning pain and then the skin would be damaged or would it just shut off from too much sensation? Would it melt or is it stronger than our skin? My second question is does the “wiseskin” have an off switch? Say you want to pick up a hotplate and don’t want to get a glove, could you just turn off your sensors and just pick it up? I feel like if the “wiseskin” does not break it would be a good feature.
ReplyDeleteThe wise skin is very durable actually. It is composed of 7 different layers and 4 of which happen to be protective layers with different protective functions. The article stated that the skin would not create pain to the user but it would vibrate at a high frequency to alarm the user. The wiseskin has an off switch if the user didn't want to receive sensory signals for any reason but it didn't mention if that off switch would turn off the prosthetic as well.
DeleteThis new technology is indeed impressive. However, I just feel that the machine is complicated and it would take a lot of efforts to keep them working properly. How often would the users have to go see the doctors/engineers for the maintenance process?
ReplyDeleteThe article didn't say however, the artificial is composed of many protective layers making it pretty durable.
DeleteAlthough we are making a lot of progress scientifically in terms of understanding human body, brain still remains to be a very mysterious part of human body and scientists have not been able to discover too much about the brain. Keeping that fact in mind, I would be very hesitant to have the sensor node impanted invasively into the user's brain in order for the signals to be sent. Have the researchers found an efficient way to implant the sensor node into brain or is that process still being developed?
ReplyDeleteYes, scientists have been able to determine the postcentral gyrus is in charge of incoming sensory information with specific areas of this gyrus corresponding to specific areas of the body such as fingers, tongue, elbow, etc.. This gyrus is commonly referred to as the primary somatosensory cortex. The gyrus just in front, precentral gyrus or the primary motor cortex is in charge of delivering signals to those specific areas of the body. The neural imagine was made possible with the use of a fMRI and EEG.
DeleteThis is amazing. How technology has evolved to the point that losing a limb now has a solution. I always thought that having tactile capabilities was out of the picture with these prosthetics. I must say though I personally don’t like the fact that humans basically become part robots.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible how they are able to restore all functions of a normal limb to a prosthetic limb. But implanting a chip into the brain to sense all the sensations can be risky. First of all the way how human brain works still remains a huge mystery, has the scientists promised that if the chip is implanted to the brain the individual using the prosthetic lamb is for sure going to sense everything, and because with any technology there is security risks, what if the chip that is implanted gets hacked, what is that going to do to the brain?
ReplyDeleteI think “Wise Skin” is really amazing. I never knew that prosthetic parts could be developed this delicate. Prosthetic rehabilitation the concept itself already surprises me but being able to detect the temperature just seems like a sci-fi movie. Also I didn’t know this technology can restore all the functions from a regular limb. Reading these kinds of information really intrigues and makes me wonder how quick a person with a prosthetic arm can react by touching a hot plate or an object with high temperature? Is it possible for a person to react as quickly as a regular person?
ReplyDelete