This Bionic Fingertip Helps Amputees Feel Surfaces
Rahul Kalvapalle — March 9, 2016 — Tech
References: actu.epfl.ch & gizmag
A group of scientists and engineers at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland and the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Italy have developed a high-tech bionic fingertip that can be used to help amputees feel the sensation of touch.
The fingertip is electronic and has to be surgically wired to nerves in the wearer's upper arm. Dennis Aabo Sorensen is the first person to use the bionic fingertip, which enabled him to recognize texture by working in conjunction with electrodes implanted above his stump.
This bionic fingertip clearly has the potential to improve the quality of life of amputees. However, in addition to use as a prosthetic element, it also shows promise for use in surgery and manufacturing settings.
The fingertip is electronic and has to be surgically wired to nerves in the wearer's upper arm. Dennis Aabo Sorensen is the first person to use the bionic fingertip, which enabled him to recognize texture by working in conjunction with electrodes implanted above his stump.
This bionic fingertip clearly has the potential to improve the quality of life of amputees. However, in addition to use as a prosthetic element, it also shows promise for use in surgery and manufacturing settings.
Trend Themes
1. Tactile Sensing Technology - The development of high-tech bionic fingertip will pave the way for more advanced tactile sensing technology, benefiting industries such as healthcare, robotics, and gaming.
2. Neural Interfaces - The surgical wiring of the fingertip to nerves in the upper arm points to the increasing development and potential application of neural interfaces in medicine and technology.
3. Assistive Technology - The creation of the bionic fingertip is an innovative example of how assistive technology can improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and impairments.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The bionic fingertip technology holds potential for advanced surgical applications and the development of better prosthetics for amputees.
2. Robotics - Tactile sensing technology can be applied to improve the dexterity and sensory perception of robots, making them more useful and effective in various industries.
3. Manufacturing - The bionic fingertip can support manufacturing-based environments with enhanced dexterity and touch-sensitive machinery, leading to improved efficiency.
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