Aid for 'phantom limb' amputees

[Dover]

Aid for 'phantom limb' amputees


Press Association
Tuesday November 14, 2006
The Guardian


Scientists have developed a computer system which allows amputees to see and move a 3D "phantom limb" in place of their lost one, it was revealed yesterday.
In a small study, the system, created by scientists at the University of Manchester, has helped some patients suffering from a condition known as phantom limb pain - discomfort felt by a person in a limb that is missing due to amputation.

Previous research has found that when a person's brain is tricked into believing they can see and move a "phantom limb", pain can decrease...cont'd

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1947179,00.html

[lcordero2]

1. I wonder if the phantom limb nerves

can or are being used for the new prosthetic limbs

[Warpy]

2. That's still experimental and covers motor nerves, not

sensory nerves.

[0rganism]

3. Can you elaborate at all on the differences?

I'm developing an interest in the topic, any jumping-off points you can think of for learning more about nerves and experiments with electromechanical interfaces would be welcome.

[Warpy]

4. I'd advise going to a college that has a school of nursing

pop into the bookstore, and spring for a text with the words "Anatomy and Physiology" on the cover. You'll get a good overview of the structures involved. Basically, the sensory nerves run up the front of the spinal cord and the motor nerves run up the back. The systems are separate and the brain is the organic interface that allows them to work together.

Once you've got the structures and functions down, you'll have a much better understanding about what needs to be done to have truncated motor axons function as switches for electromechanical devices.

[0rganism]

5. wow, thanks -- interesting that they're physically distinct systems

Makes sense, too.

[Occulus]

6. Here's an interesting question

Could this same software trick the brain into believing that the missing limb has a branch to two separately mobile hands, like a Y-shaped 3D arm?

[DireStrike]

7. I bet it could... see this:

http://www.edge.org/q2006/q06_7.html#lanier

Homuncular flexibility