A New Hope for More Intuitive Prosthetic Control
For Alex Smith, losing his right arm at age 11 was a traumatic experience. A boating accident left him with a life-altering injury, but his spirit remained undeterred. Determined to regain function, he initially turned to myoelectric arms. These prosthetics, powered by electrical signals from his residual limb, offered a glimmer of hope. However, disappointment followed as their limited range of motion and slow response times proved vastly different from the natural fluidity of his former movements.
“They’re just not super functional,” Smith admits, reflecting on the challenges. “There’s a massive delay between executing a function and then having the prosthetic actually do it. In my day-to-day life, it just became faster to figure out other ways to do things.”
Driven by a desire for more intuitive control, Smith recently joined a study exploring a revolutionary new system. A startup called Phantom Neuro is developing a thin, flexible muscle implant that promises to usher in a new era of prosthetic technology.
The system works by tapping into the intricate communication network within the muscles. “Not many people use robotic limbs, and that’s largely due to how horrible the control system is,” observes Connor Glass, CEO and cofounder of Phantom Neuro. Their innovative approach aims to address this core issue.
Revolutionizing Prosthetic Control with Implantable Technology
In an exciting development, Phantom Neuro recently achieved remarkable results in a feasibility study. Ten participants, including Smith, used a wearable version of the company’s sensors to control an existing robotic arm. The data paints a promising picture. Across 11 hand and wrist gestures, the average accuracy achieved an impressive 93.8 percent.
How It Works: Muscle Implants for Seamless Control
Current myoelectric prosthetics rely on surface electrodes placed on the amputated limb. These electrodes detect electrical signals generated by muscle contractions. While this technology has been a significant advancement, it faces limitations. Surface electrodes can be prone to slippage and movement, leading to inaccurate readings.
Phantom Neuro’s approach takes a fundamentally different path. Their system involves surgically implanting a thin, flexible sensor directly within the muscle. This intimate contact allows for a more precise and reliable capture of the muscle’s electrical signals, mirroring the natural communication pathways between the brain and the extremities.
The result? A prosthetic that responds almost instantaneously to the user’s intentions.
A Glimpse into the Future
For individuals like Smith, this groundbreaking technology represents a profound shift. It holds the potential to restore not only functionality but also a sense of agency and empowerment. The ability to control a prosthetic with the same ease and precision as a natural limb could dramatically improve quality of life.
While Phantom Neuro’s implantable sensor is still in the early stages of development, the success of their initial study is an encouraging sign. The future promises exciting possibilities, spurring hope for those living with limb loss.
How does the current method of controlling prosthetic limbs limit natural movement and what challenges does this create for amputees?
## A New Hope for More Intuitive Prosthetic Control
**Host:** Welcome back. Today, we’re diving into a groundbreaking advancement in prosthetic technology that promises to revolutionize the lives of amputees. Joining us is Connor Glass, CEO and co-founder of Phantom Neuro, the Austin-based startup behind this innovation. Welcome to the show, Connor.
**Connor Glass:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Tell us about the challenges faced by amputees when using current prosthetic limbs.
**Connor Glass:** Thanks. Current prosthetic technology, while helpful, often falls short in providing natural, intuitive control. Many prosthetics rely on surface electrodes that pick up electrical signals from the muscles, which are often limited in their range of motion and responsiveness, leading to frustration and limited functionality [[1](https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-based-startup-revolutionizing-how-amputees-control-prosthetic-limbs/)].
**Host:** So, how is Phantom Neuro tackling these challenges?
**Connor Glass:** We’re developing a thin, flexible muscle implant that can directly interface with the nerves and muscles, enabling a much more precise and nuanced control of the prosthetic limb. This technology allows us to tap into the brain’s natural communication pathway, replicating the natural fluidity of movement. [[1](https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-based-startup-revolutionizing-how-amputees-control-prosthetic-limbs/)]
**Host:** Incredble! This sounds like it could truly be life-changing for amputees.
**Connor Glass:** Absolutely. This technology has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for amputees, allowing them to regain lost functionality and independence with greater ease and confidence.
**Host:** Where are you in the development process?
**Connor Glass:** We recently achieved remarkable results in a clinical trial, demonstrating the effectiveness of our implant in restoring intuitive control to a prosthetic limb. We’re now working towards regulatory approval and scaling up our production to make this technology accessible to a wider population.
**Host:** This is truly exciting news. Thank you, Connor, for sharing your insights and for your dedication to improving the lives of amputees.
