Breakthrough: Sensing with prosthetic limbs

[HorseArcher]

Hungarian medical invention to be manufactured in India

A breakthrough medical invention developed by Hungarian scientists may be manufactured in India because the funds necessary for completing the project are not available in Hungary, writes Magyar Nemzet.

During a recent visit to India, inventor Jenő Páli and a delegation led by Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány opened negotiations on the manufacturing rights for the technology, which involves "neurocybernetic" prosthetic limbs that mimic the "touching" sensation provided by human skin. The rights would be exchanged for the funds needed to finish development of the technology.


Páli is the head of Biokibernetika Kft, the research and development company of Semmelweis University, where the breakthrough was made. The invention was developed after the team examined rats' whiskers, thought to be the most sensitive touching system in the animal world.

If the technology is perfected, patients using the prosthetic arms will receive information about objects being touched - such as weight and temperature - with the help of a computer and radio waves, and their brains will be able to give a more natural reaction to this information.

According to Páli, the same technology could be used in space exploration. Since the connection between the brain and the limb is provided by radio waves, distance is not a problem, and space explorers could therefore receive information on objects on a distant planet as if they were really there.

Further development of the system will be carried out by Hungarian and Indian scientists, with Hungarian supervision. Páli said he hopes that even if the prosthetic limbs are not manufactured in Hungary, the country will benefit from the potential benefits in the area of space exploration.

http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_...ash=b938e05761

[The Sundance Kid]

This sounds intriguing. So the Hungarians cannot produce the limbs, but have the funds to research their development? Hmm. A huge step forward, though.

[Denny Crane!]

This could be one of the biggest inventions this decade. Certainly one of the most beneficial.

[Cataclysm]

Yeah, but can it feel pain? I think knowing your prosthetic limb is in a fire is more important than feeling the log fueling said fire.

[Chaigidel]

wow just wow, all I can say is I am ashamed the western nations didnt seize the opportunity and fund this project to its end.

[Fenix_120]

Cyborgs will rule the world, by touching the moon while no one else can...

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Awsome news

[IndianPrince]

WOOHOO ... Gr8 2 know India maybe fundin this. Gr8 achievement Mr. Pali



Prince

[Pra]

Good to know India is involved in this break through. There's a lot of research work going on there, and this kind of fruition is exciting.

Regardless of where it was invented/produced, this is a great achievement for humanity. I'm sure many veterans would be thankful for this invention.

[Ummon]

Nice job they did. I would be interested in one or two things they did, just to know how they did them.

[Sidmen]

Synthetic limbs that can feel, synthetic organs that work, and robotics that is rapidly advancing... Soon I will remove my brain and place it in a body composed entirely of robotic parts.. And I shall play videogames FOREVER! Muhahaha

[Ludicus]

It seems that we are far away from seeing results, but it is a beggining.
In the field of the retinal prosthesis, for example, some actual results are not totally completely bad. (click)

[Simetrical]

Sounds like an impressive press release. I wonder if the actual results are as impressive. My guess is this was some minor advance that's being cast as a big breakthrough to get more publicity and more money. That's how it usually works, with things published in mainstream media. You notice it doesn't cite uninvolved scientists' opinions, and just seems to repeat what the inventors say. Smells like a publicity stunt.