The myokinetic interface: Implanting permanent magnets to restore the sensory-motor control loop in amputees

The development of a dexterous hand prosthesis that is controlled and perceived naturally by the amputee is a major challenge in biomedical engineering. Recent years have seen the rapid evolution of surgical techniques and technologies aimed at this purpose, the majority of which probe muscle electrical activity for control, and deliver electrical pulses to nerves for sensory feedback. Here, we report on the myokinetic interface concept that exploits magnetic field principles to achieve natural control and sensory feedback of an artificial hand. Like implantable myoelectric sensors, but using passive implants, localizing magnets implanted in independent muscles could allow monitoring their contractions and thus controlling the corresponding movements in the artificial hand in a biomimetic, direct, independent, and parallel manner. Selectively vibrating the magnets also offers a unique opportunity to study kinesthetic percepts in humans. The myokinetic interface opens new possibilities for interfacing humans with robotic technologies in an intuitive way.