Current bionic legs use predefined robotic control architectures, limiting their versatility. This study hypothesized that continuous neural control of a bionic limb, augmented by residual muscle afferents, could restore biomimetic gait after below-knee amputation. A neuroprosthetic interface was developed with surgically connected agonist-antagonist muscles and muscle-sensing electrodes. In seven leg amputees, the interface augmented residual muscle afferents, leading to a 41% increase in maximum neuroprosthetic walking speed compared to a control group. Biomimetic adaptation to varying speeds and diverse environments (slopes, stairs, obstacles) was also observed. The results suggest that even small augmentation of residual muscle afferents, combined with continuous neuromodulation, restores biomimetic gait.
Publisher
Nature Medicine
Published On
Jul 01, 2024
Authors
Hyungeun Song, Tsung-Han Hsieh, Seong Ho Yeon, Tony Shu, Michael Nawrot, Christian F. Landis, Gabriel N. Friedman, Erica A. Israel, Samantha Gutierrez-Arango, Matthew J. Carty, Lisa E. Freed, Hugh M. Herr
Tags
bionic legs
neuroprosthetic interface
below-knee amputation
biomimetic gait
residual muscle afferents
walking speed
neuromodulation
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