LONDON – A thought-controlled prosthetic arm is being developed
by Max Ortiz Catalan of Chalmers University (Gothenburg,
Sweden). This research project is using a titanium implant
system that anchors the prosthesis directly to the skeleton
through osseointegration. Since the 1960s, amputees have been
able to use prostheses controlled by electrical impulses in the
muscles. However, the functionality is limited because they are
difficult to control. Standard socket prostheses, which are
attached to the body using a socket tightly fitted on the
amputated stump, are so uncomfortable and limiting that only 50
percent of arm amputees are willing to use one at all, according
to Ortiz Catalan, an industrial doctoral student at Chalmers.
"Our technology helps amputees to control an artificial limb, in
much the same way as their own biological hand or arm, via the
person's own nerves and remaining muscles. This is a huge
benefit for both the individual and to society," said Ortiz
Catalan. In this project, the researche