{"id":6856,"date":"2024-03-28T06:02:09","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T06:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthnewscentral.com\/?p=6856"},"modified":"2024-03-28T06:02:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T06:02:09","slug":"incredible-minitouch-prosthetic-device-designed-to-sense-temperature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthnewscentral.com\/incredible-minitouch-prosthetic-device-designed-to-sense-temperature\/","title":{"rendered":"Incredible MiniTouch Prosthetic Device Designed To Sense Temperature"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SWNS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Researchers have achieved a remarkable feat in prosthetic technology, unveiling the world\u2019s first artificial limb capable of sensing temperature and transmitting the sensation of warmth.<\/p>\n

The innovative MiniTouch<\/a> device offers hope for amputees, granting them the ability to perceive and respond to temperature changes, potentially enhancing their social connections.<\/p>\n

MiniTouch functions by relaying thermal information from the prosthetic fingertip to the wearer\u2019s residual arm. This groundbreaking technology has been tested on a man in Italy who lost his hand three decades ago. Remarkably, he demonstrated 100 percent accuracy in distinguishing between hot and cold objects using the device.<\/p>\n

Scientists from Italy and Switzerland envision broader applications for MiniTouch, aiming to restore a full spectrum of sensory experiences through prosthetics. The device provided realistic and instantaneous thermal feedback to a 57-year-old amputee from Pistoria, offering him the long-awaited sensation of warmth from another person after 37 years.<\/p>\n

Fabrizio, the recipient of MiniTouch, expressed overwhelming emotions upon feeling the warmth of another individual, an experience he had been deprived of since his amputation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very strong emotion for me. It was like reactivating a connection with someone.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Moreover, MiniTouch empowered him to discriminate between objects of varying temperatures and materials with precision. (You can see this in the video from Reuters below\u2026)<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen one of the researchers placed the sensor on his own body, I could feel the warmth of another person with my phantom hand,\u201d<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0said Fabrizio<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This breakthrough technology, documented in a study<\/a> published in the journal Med<\/a>, marks a significant milestone in prosthetic innovation. For the first time, natural temperature sensations have been integrated into a functional artificial limb, representing a frontier in the quest to restore tactile sensitivity to robotic hands.<\/p>\n

Professor Silvestro Micera, a joint senior author of the study from the Sant\u2019Anna School of Advanced Studies<\/a>, reported, \u201cFor the first time, we\u2019re really close to restoring the full palette of sensations to amputees. And it can be easily integrated into commercial prostheses.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

MiniTouch distinguishes itself by its accessibility and simplicity. It utilizes off-the-shelf electronics integrated into commercially available prosthetic limbs, eliminating the need for invasive surgical procedures. Instead, the device is attached to a specific point on the wearer\u2019s limb, stimulating sensations in their phantom index finger.<\/p>\n

During clinical trial conducted at the Inail Prosthesis Centre in Vigorso di Budriothe, Bologna, Italy, it was demonstrated that Fabrizio could accurately differentiate between three similar bottles containing water at different temperatures (12\u00b0C, 24\u00b0C, and 40\u00b0C).<\/p>\n

Additionally, the device enhanced Fabrizio\u2019s capacity to swiftly categorize metal cubes based on their varying temperatures.<\/p>\n

Dr. Solaiman Shokur, co-author from the \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne (EPFL)<\/a> in Switzerland said, \u201cWhen you reach a certain level of dexterity with robotic hands, you really need to have sensory feedback to be able to use it to its full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe think having the ability to sense temperature will improve amputees\u2019 embodiment\u2014the feeling that \u2018this hand is mine\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jonathan Muheim from EPFL, a co-author of the study, emphasizes the importance of incorporating thermal sensations into neuro-prosthetics, highlighting their relevance in everyday life. Moving forward, the MiniTouch team aims to expand the device\u2019s capabilities by integrating thermal information from multiple points on an amputee\u2019s limb.<\/p>\n

The ultimate goal is to develop a multimodal system that seamlessly combines touch, perception, and temperature. This advanced system would be able to tell the user \u2018this is soft and hot\u2019, or \u2018this is hard and cold\u2019. Prof. Micera concludes it\u2019s all to offer a \u201cricher and more natural perception of the tactile world.\u201d<\/p>\n

See this incredible invention for yourself in the video below.<\/p>\n