Mechanoneural interfaces for prosthetic control
Mechanoneural Interfaces (MIs) and methods of forming MIs are provided, including cutaneous mechanoneural interfaces (CMIs) and proprioceptive mechanoneural interfaces (PMIs). A CMI includes a device in operative arrangement with a muscle actuator to stimulate muscle contraction, the muscle actuator disposed in a substantially circumferential configuration about a skin flap that includes a native or regenerative neurovascular structure of an amputated body segment. A PMI includes an actuator mechanically linked to a muscle end organ and configured to apply a force to the muscle end organ, the actuator including a synthetic actuator or a biological muscle actuator. The muscle end organ is of an agonist-antagonist muscle pair and can include at least one of a native or regenerative neurovascular structure. CMIs and PMIs can each further include a controller configured to provide a stimulation signal or operate an actuator based on a signal received from a sensor of a prosthetic device.
1 . A cutaneous mechanoneural interface, comprising:
a device in operative arrangement with a muscle actuator to stimulate contraction of a muscle of the muscle actuator, the muscle of the muscle actuator disposed mechanically in combination with a skin flap comprising at least one of a native or regenerative neurovascular structure of an amputated body segment; and
a controller in communication with the device, the controller providing a stimulation signal to the device based on a signal received from a sensor of a prosthetic device.
2 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation signal provides for at least one of a strain sensation, a vibratory sensation, or a sliding sensation at the skin flap by the muscle actuator.
3 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation signal provides for constriction or compression of the skin flap by the muscle actuator.
4 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation signal provides for a graded touch sensation at the skin flap by the muscle actuator.
5 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the muscle of the muscle actuator is disposed in a cuffed configuration about the skin flap.
6 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the muscle of the muscle actuator is disposed in a conical configuration about the skin flap.
7 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the signal received from the sensor of the prosthetic device includes at least one of pressure, shear, stress, strain, or vibration information detected at a surface of the prosthetic device.
8 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the device is an electrode.
9 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the muscle actuator is a muscle graft.
10 . The cutaneous mechanoneural interface of claim 1 , wherein the muscle of the muscle actuator is disposed in a circumferential configuration about the skin flap.