Researchers from MIT have developed an amputation surgery that can assist amputees to control their residual muscles better. The researchers say that this should help patients have better control of their prosthetic limbs while also reducing phantom limb pain.
Many muscles that are used to control the movement of an individual’s limbs occur in pairs, which alternately contract and stretch. When a limb is amputated using the conventional method, sensory feedback is cut off, and the movement of these muscles is restricted, which makes it even harder for amputees to sense any force applied to their prosthetic limbs or to feel where those limbs are.
In majority of amputations, muscle pairs that control the joints, such as ankles and elbows, are cleaved. However, the team of researchers has discovered that rejoining these muscle pairs offers amputees much better sensory feedback.
The lead author of the study, MIT postdoc Shriya Srinivasan, stated that their study as well as prior studies had demonstrated that patients would have more control over their residual muscles if they could move them. She explained that if amputees were able to move the muscles that moved their phantom limbs, they would find it easier to use their prostheses.
The paper was published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” journal. The researchers found that the patients who had undergone the antagonist myoneural interface (“AMI”) amputation surgery could control their muscles more accurately than patients who had undergone traditional amputations. These patients also admitted to feeling less pain in the limb that was affected and having more freedom of movement.
Hugh Herr, the study’s senior author, head of the Media Lab’s Bio Mechatronics group and a professor of media arts and sciences explained that the study demonstrated that individuals who had gone the antagonist myoneural interface amputation way could control their prosthetic limbs better, experienced less pain and had a greater range of motion for their phantom joints.
The paper’s other authors include Media Lab research scientist Lisa Freed, visiting scientist Matthew Carty, former Media Lab visiting researcher Zachary Bailey, MIT undergrad Ashley Chia-En Teng, grad student in the Harvard-MIT program in Health Sciences and Technology Hyungeun Song and Media Lab senior research support associates Erica Israel and Samantha Gutierrez-Arango.
The study was funded by various institutions and organizations, including the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the MIT Media Lab Consortia.
Still on the matter of improving the outcomes of patients who undergo different treatment modalities, Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) has a massive advantage in the segment of personalized cancer care due to its trove of assets, such as a computerized method of growing cancer tumors in a lab so that personalized treatment alternatives can be generated for a patient.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/POAI
About BioMedWire
BioMedWire (BMW) is a bio-med news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with BMW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. BMW is where news, content and information converge.
To receive SMS text alerts from BioMedWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
BioMedWire (BMW)
San Francisco, California
www.BioMedWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com
BioMedWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.