Strategies to Control Robotic Hand Prosthesis Via HD-sEMG and to Restore Sensory Feedback Via TENS

Development of Innovative Strategies for the Control of Robotic Hand Prostheses Based on High-density Electromyography and Restitution of Sensory Feedback Via Trans-cutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Upper limb amputation still causes severe disability today; prostheses currently on the market are able to restore partially to the amputee the lost functionality. In addition to the motor capacity of the limb, prosthetic systems should also aim to restore to the sensory information from the surrounding environment during contact with objects. Therefore, it is important to develop bidirectional prostheses. It is thus apparent that the development of new techniques for decoding the efferent channel, such as high-density surface electromyography, and for encoding of the afferent channel afferent, to return multimodal somatosensory sensations of mechanoception, nociception, and thermoception using TENS, isimportant to improve the patient's use of the prosthesis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Upper limb amputation;
• Stable clinical condition;
• Skin integrity of the stump;
• Age between 18 and 65 years;
• High level of motivation to participate in the study and acceptance of the purpose of the study;
• Signed informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical instability;
• Dehiscence of the amputation wound;
• Failure to complete the informed consent;
• State of pregnancy;
• Implanted devices that can interfere with TENS stimulation (e.g. pacemakers);