Karin, a Swedish woman, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first individual to receive a below-the-elbow prosthetic that seamlessly integrates bone with metal and electrodes.
This innovative advancement in robotics and biology is anticipated to set a new standard for prosthetics, offering hope for wider availability to amputees facing diverse circumstances in the future.
The field of artificial limb replacement grapples with significant challenges, primarily mechanical attachment and reliable control of prosthetic limbs. Many amputees often reject the most sophisticated commercially available limbs to do concerns about painful and uncomfortable attachment methods and the limitations of unreliable control.
Karin, who lost her right arm in a farming machinery accident two decades ago, was among those who chose to forgo existing prostheses. Her decision prompted a collaborative effort by a multidisciplinary team of engineers and surgeons from Sweden, Australia, and Italy. Their goal was to overcome the existing challenges by creating an interface that seamlessly merges human and machine, enabling comfortable attachment while facilitating electrical connection with the nervous system.
This revolutionary approach, termed ‘osseointegration,’ involves a process where bone tissue embraces titanium, establishing a robust mechanical bond. This bond enables a connection with the nervous system through electrodes implanted in the nerves and muscles, offering a novel solution to the longstanding issues in prosthetic technology.
For Karin, an engineer by profession, the impact of her bionic arm has been nothing short of transformative. Not only has the cutting-edge technology alleviated the excruciating phantom pain she endured for years, but it has also proven to be ‘life-changing,’ restoring her capabilities in everyday life and granting her newfound independence.
She said, “It felt like I constantly had my hand in a meat grinder, which created a high level of stress and I had to take high doses of various painkillers. I now have better control over my prosthesis, but above all, my pain has decreased.”
The surgery, conducted in December 2018, marked a significant turning point for Karin, who began utilizing the bionic arm in mid-2019. Dr. Max Ortiz Catalán, the lead researcher and head of neural prosthetics research at the Bionics Institute in Australia and the Center for Bionics and Pain Research in Sweden, emphasized the encouraging aspect that Karin has successfully used the bionic limb for several years.
Dr. Ortiz Catalán shared, “Karin was the first person with below-elbow amputation who received this new concept of a highly integrated bionic hand that can be used independently and reliably in daily life. Karin is now using somewhat the same neural resources to control the prosthesis as she did for her missing biological hand.”
“The fact that she has been able to use her prosthesis comfortably and effectively in daily activities for years is a promising testament to the potential life-changing capabilities of this novel technology for individuals facing limb loss,” he added.
Overcoming challenges specific to the level of amputation, including aligning and loading the two bones – the radius and ulna – equally, required ingenuity from the research team. They developed a neuro-musculoskeletal implant that facilitates connections between the user’s nervous system and the electronic control system of the bionic limb. This intricate solution significantly contributed to pain reduction.
Professor Rickard Brånemark, associate professor at Gothenburg University in Sweden, and associate researcher at MIT, said, “The below elbow amputation level has particular challenges, and the level of functionality achieved marks an important milestone for the field of advanced extremity reconstructions as a whole.”
“By combining osseointegration with reconstructive surgery, implanted electrodes, and AI, we can restore human function in an unprecedented way,” he added.
The surgical procedure involved rearranging the nerves and muscles in the residual limb to enhance sources of motor control information for the prosthesis. Dr. Paolo Sassu, who previously achieved the first successful hand transplant in Scandinavia, performed this intricate surgery at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden.
While researchers celebrate the scientific advancements achieved through this groundbreaking collaboration, Karin’s testimony speaks volumes about the practical benefits. Her robotic limb has not only enhanced her functionality and independence but, owing to the highly advanced integration between her residual and bionic limbs, has also substantially alleviated her pain.
“Today, I need much less medication. For me, this research has meant a lot, as it has given me a better life,” said Karin.
This pioneering achievement signals a significant leap forward in the convergence of robotics and biology for the benefit of amputees worldwide.
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