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Researchers seek to control prosthetic legs with neural signals

prosthetics

He “Helen” Huang (right) develops next-generation prosthetics, which is a team effort. Postdoctoral researcher Josh Tacca (left) is leading a clinical study on prosthetic ankles and works with study participants like Greg Phillips (center) to test the technology created in the lab. (photo by Alyssa LaFaro)

Nov 1, 2024

Symbiotic strides

In the last 20 years, as batteries and mechanical motors have become smaller, lighter, and more powerful, Huang has watched the prosthetics field expand drastically. When she began doing this research in the 2000s, patients were still using 100-year-old technologies. But so much has changed since then. 
On left part of image, a man's lower leg is shown, with the toes of his feet pointing down. There are sensors attached to his knee and calf. On the right, a robotic prosthetic lower leg is shown flexing in a pose identical to the man's leg. In the upper right hand corner, a graph shows an erratic line that moves up and down.

Oct 20, 2023

Robotic prosthetic ankles improve ‘natural’ movement, stability

Robotic prosthetic ankles that are controlled by nerve impulses allow amputees to move more “naturally,” improving their stability. 
Campus Gateway

Sep 6, 2022

Prosthetic robotics proposal awarded $1.2 million in NSF funding

The award, titled “Collaborative Research: NRI: Smart Skins for Robotic Prosthetic hand,” seeks to further develop smart skin technology within robotic prosthetic hands for more effective and efficient prosthetics. 
Illustration of ankle prosthetic.

May 20, 2022

New neural-controlled ankle prosthesis improves stability

A new prosthetic ankle controlled by the brain is showing promising improvements in patients’ balance and stability, helping them to feel more control when doing activities like picking up an object from the ground or navigating tasks that might cause them to fall. 

Jan 16, 2014

Silver nanowire sensors hold promise for prosthetics, robotics

NC State researchers have used silver nanowires to develop wearable, multifunctional sensors that could be used in biomedical, military or athletic applications, including new prosthetics, robotic systems and flexible touch panels. 

Oct 3, 2013

Researchers seek to control prosthetic legs with neural signals

Most people don’t think about the difference between walking across the room and walking up a flight of stairs. But for people using prosthetic legs, there is no automatic link between their bodies and their prosthetics. Researchers from NC State and the University of Houston are hoping to change that.