New Interface Could Wire Prosthetics Directly Into Amputees' Nervous Systems

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

New Interface Could Wire Prosthetics Directly Into Amputees' Nervous Systems

Posted by samzenpus on Monday March 5, 2012 @05:18AM from the we-can-make-him-better dept.

cylonlover writes "Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have announced a breakthrough in prosthetics that may one day allow artificial limbs to be controlled by their wearers as naturally as organic ones, as well as providing sensations of touch and feeling. The scientists have developed a new interface consisting of a porous, flexible, conductive, biocompatible material through which nerve fibers can grow and act as a sort of junction through which nerve impulses can pass to the prosthesis and data from the prosthesis back to the nerve. If this new interface is successful, it has the potential to one day allow nerves to be connected directly to artificial limbs."

7 of 160 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

The cyborg limbs get hacked.... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-05 05:21 · Score: 5, Funny

Stop punching yourself.
Stop punching yourself.
Stop punching yourself.
Making tech level progress... by torchdragon · 2012-03-05 05:31 · Score: 5, Funny

Excellent! Now we can build Copters, Thinkers, Drop Pods and start work on the The Cyborg Factory.

--
"Don't feel bad for me child; I'm the monster that hides under your bed."
1. Re:Making tech level progress... by nospam007 · 2012-03-05 05:59 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  "Excellent! Now we can build Copters, Thinkers, Drop Pods and start work on the The Cyborg Factory."
  Mmm, I was more along the line like fitting a man, a former astronaut named Steve Austin from OSI with implants for ...let's say 6 million dollars.
  And now get off my lawn.
Re:Wireless mouse by ColdWetDog · 2012-03-05 05:33 · Score: 5, Funny

You'd better add a spell checker to that list of things you want implanted.

--
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Re:Resistance is futile... by PPH · 2012-03-05 05:41 · Score: 5, Funny

Overlords? You need to step up to the hacker challenge.
Step one: Install root kit in 7 of 9's interface. Step two: Party!

--
Have gnu, will travel.
Adverse Events by Milo+Fungus · 2012-03-05 05:48 · Score: 5, Interesting

I am a doctor. In fact, I am a neurologist (IAAN). This article is fascinating, and I hope they keep working on this technology and get it working. That being said, I would never plug one of these things into my own amputated limb. Going to medical school and doing residency have turned me into something of a Luddite. Medical technology is cool, but every treatment has potential benefits and toxicities. The adverse event I would worry about most with this technology is neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is notoriously difficult to treat. What if you plugged this device into some amputee's limb and gave them excruciating pain? I would rather have a metal hook for a hand.
Re:Resistance is futile... by cp.tar · 2012-03-05 05:51 · Score: 4, Funny

Rooting her kit comments in five... four...

--
Ignore this signature. By order.