For decades, researchers have been working to develop neuroprosthetic limbs, which use neural information from muscles remaining after an amputation to guide the prosthetic limb. Measurements of a muscle’s length, velocity and activation can be fed into the control algorithms that guide the limbs, allowing individuals with leg amputation to walk with a more natural gait or those with arm amputation to manipulate objects more effectively.
Until now, these devices have relied on muscle activity measurements from electrodes placed on the surface of the skin. However, those measurements have not proven reliable enough to ensure safety while walking with a neuroprosthetic leg.