SOMA

Development of a sensory interface for limb prosthetics, enhancing natural sensations.

Limb prosthetics used in amputees lack natural and tactile sensations. The EU-funded SOMA project aims to develop a new interface based on algorithms that enable the sensing of mechanical pressure, pain and changes in temperature. Using cutting-edge tissue engineering technology and computational modelling, scientists plan to develop an in vitro innervated skin model to study sensory receptors and the afferent neural signals. Understanding the spatiotemporal relationships between cutaneous stimuli and neural signals will help scientists apply focussed ultrasound stimulation to the peripheral nervous system. This is expected to provide amputees with sensor–motor control of their upper-limb prosthesis.