Brain-controlled prosthetic limb: The bionic arm gets an upgrade

There is good news for all those with a prosthetic arm and all those without a limb. The scientists have made a breakthrough in creating an arm that can be controlled like a normal arm with suggestions and instructions right from ones brain. Raise a glass to that one. As you can see in the video, Jesse Sullivan is using his arms by successfully commanding them with suggestions from his brain. First, we had limbs designed to be controlled with the help of a computer which in itself was a huge advancement. Now, going a step further what we have requires the individual to just think of the motion he wants to perform and the signals sent out from the brain are picked up through the nerves and sent to the prosthetic limb. Yes, this also means that you should have some sensitivity alive in your nerves and that they should still be active enough.

Jesse is from amongst the first few who have undergone several operations and procedures to get comfortable with this new technology in and on his body. Eight years ago he started the procedure and today he finds it a great boon in his life. Luckily for him he did not lose the control of his nerves. The Northwestern University in US is studying more brain patterns to see if these can be used in prosthetic limbs. For most amputees this is a dream come true. So hold on to your nerves and keep exercising the ghost arm. Soon enough all that effort will serve you well.

Via: Tech2