2A1-D13 Wearable sensory prosthetic system for patients with sensory disturbance : generation of somatic sensation and its enhancement using microstimulation method

Abstract

In this study, we attempted to develop a prototype of a wearable sensory prosthetic system with which patients suffering from peripheral sensory disturbance will be able to feel somatic sensations as if they were touching an object with their healthy and intact hand. The system consists of finger sacs and palm patch equipped with flexible pressure sensors, and micro-electrical stimulation of the sensory nerve fibers was used in order to evoke somatic sensations. The results showed that the system worked satisfactorily, and it is demonstrated that the system will be able to compensate or even enhance sensory function of the patients with sensory neuropathy.