Touch Prosthetic

Touch Prosthetic: The Art of Perception

In the modern world, prosthetic technology has advanced significantly, opening new horizons for people facing the loss of limbs. One of the most exciting innovations in the field of prosthetics is the development of conscious touch in prosthetics. This technology is based on the ability of proprioceptors and tactile receptors in the skin to perceive the movements of the prosthesis, which allows people with prostheses to feel subtle sensations and interact with the world around them.

Proprioception is our body's ability to sense the position and movement of our limbs without the use of vision. When we interact with our environment, our proprioceptors send signals to the brain, allowing us to be aware of the position of our arms and legs. In the case of prosthetics, this ability plays a decisive role in perceiving the movements and position of an artificial limb.

Tactile receptors in the skin also play an important role in the conscious touch of prostheses. When we touch objects, tactile receptors in our skin respond to various stimuli such as pressure, texture and temperature. Thanks to advanced prosthetic technology, these tactile receptors can be linked to prosthetics, allowing users to sense physical contact and interact with objects around them.

One of the breakthrough achievements in the field of conscious touch of prosthetics is the development of tactile sensors for artificial skin. These sensors can be integrated into the surface of the prosthesis and respond to various stimuli, transmitting signals to the user's nervous system. For example, when an object is touched, haptic sensors can sense pressure and transmit information about its texture and shape to the user's nerves, creating a sense of real touch.

Another important aspect of conscious prosthetic touch is feedback. Prosthetic users can receive haptic feedback from their artificial limbs, which helps them better control their movements and interact with their environment. For example, when squeezing an object in the hand, the prosthesis can transmit tactile signals indicating the degree of compression and the force with which it is applied.

However, despite significant advances in the field of conscious touch in prosthetics, much work remains. Engineers and scientists continue to research and improve prosthetic technologies to create more accurate and realistic sensations. One of the main challenges is to develop bionic prosthetics that can connect to the user's nervous system, allowing more natural and intuitive control of the prosthesis.

In addition, ethical issues arise related to the conscious touch of prosthetics. For example, some people object to the use of such technology, considering it unnatural or even a violation of the boundary between man and machine. It is important to engage in public dialogue and ethical debate to define the boundaries and guidelines for the use of these technologies.

In conclusion, the conscious touch of prosthetics opens up new possibilities for people with limb loss. Through the use of proprioception and tactile receptors, prosthetics become not only functional tools, but also a source of sensation and the ability to interact with the outside world. Despite challenges and limitations, conscious touch in prosthetics continues to evolve and improve, paving the way for more human and integrated prosthetic technologies.

Prosthetic touch (touch on a prosthesis) is the process of perception by the prosthetic stump of movements of a part of the limb, also called “movement in space”, which is important for the normal function of prostheses. During movement in the articular continuum, the prosthesis transmits movement from the prosthetic stump to the prosthetic foot and along the chain to transmitting links (springs, hinge joints). Further along the chain, the displaced movement is converted by the prosthetic body into movement of the limbs. Thus, prosthetic stumps with a wide range of functions are aimed at kinesthetic sensations, understanding the boundaries of the body and its movements in space