A European arm

The NEBIAS project, funded by the European Community and led by Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, aims at developing an upper limb neuro-prosthesis controlled by the peripheral nervous system and able to convey tactile sensations. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop new technologies:

1. Interfaces able to effectively communicate with the peripheral nerves of the arm;

2. Robotic upper limbs capable of reproducing the different movements and grasp types of the human hand;

3. Artificial fingers with touch sensors able to replicate tactile perception;

4. A mathematical model able to translate the nervous system activity into signals that can be read by a machine and vice-versa.

The NEBIAS project is a European collaboration between various research institutions in Italy, Spain and Germany. It spans a number of fields, namely medicine, biology, physics, and engineering.

Various steps in the testing process of an upper limb biomechatronic prosthesis, in the framework of the LifeHand 2 international project.Various steps in the testing process of an upper limb biomechatronic prosthesis, in the framework of the LifeHand 2 international project.
Various steps in the testing process of an upper limb biomechatronic prosthesis, in the framework of the LifeHand 2 international project (2013). OpenHand, developed by the BioRobotics Institute at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, is an artificial hand capable of communicating with the amputated patient’s brain via four electrodes implanted in the peripheral nerves of his arm.
Intrafascicular electrodes for neural interfaces.Intrafascicular electrodes for neural interfaces.
Intrafascicular electrodes for neural interfaces. They connect the prosthesis with the peripheral nervous system. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetto NEBIAS (2015).
Silk fibroin processing from Bombyx mori cocoon.Silk fibroin processing from Bombyx mori cocoon.
Silk fibroin processing from Bombyx mori cocoon. The principal stages of fibroin processing for intrafascicular electrodes biocompatible coatings are: 1) cocoon, 2) cocoon clips, 3) purified silk fibroin, 4) silk fibroin gel. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetto NEBIAS (2015).
Robotic hand.Robotic hand.
Robotic hand. Wire system for the flexion of the five fingers, motor embedded in the palm for thumb opposition. Electronics and part of the actuation are in the forearm. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetti CYBERHAND e NEUROBOTICS (2005).
Three-fingers robotic hand.Three-fingers robotic hand.
Three-fingers robotic hand. A first motor moves synchronously thumb, index and middle finger while a second motor allows thumb opposition. Actuation and transmission embedded in the palm. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetto RTR II – Finanziamento INAIL Centro Protesi (2002).
Device for sensory feedback for amputees.Device for sensory feedback for amputees.
Device for sensory feedback for amputees. It is made of sensorized fingers and a bracelet vibrating to the touch or the release of an object. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetto Way (2015).
Biomimetic fingertip.Biomimetic fingertip.
Biomimetic fingertip. Component of bionic hand prosthesis, provided with artificial skin. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetti NEBIAS, HandBot e NanoBioTouch (2010-2016).
Experimental textures with different geometries printed in 3D.Experimental textures with different geometries printed in 3D.
Experimental textures with different geometries printed in 3D. They are designed for the investigation of human tactile perception and evaluation of the artificial tactile system. Istituto di BioRobotica, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Progetti NEBIAS, HandBot e NanoBioTouch (2010-2016).