KoALX - Development of a closed-loop sensory 'touch' feedback system and haptic sleeve for upper limb prothesis

**KoALX -开发用于上肢假肢的闭环感觉“触摸”反馈系统和触觉套**该项目以Koalaa的专利软插座设计为基础，专注于设计和开发独特的触觉反馈功能，该设计已被3000多名截肢者采用。一旦安装，套筒从参与者的前臂近端延伸到他们的手腕，允许安全舒适的配合，同时为肘关节远端留下足够的空间放置肌电图电极。该设备的设计目的是根据假肢指尖检测到的压力按比例压缩前臂，从而提供连续的机械触觉反馈。这是假肢领域的一个改变游戏规则的步骤，在目前的硬壳仿生学设计中是不可能的。该项目直接建立在学术研究的基础上——爱丁堡大学医学与兽医学院爱丁堡医学院的Aidan D. Roche发表的《一种触觉袖作为肌电手假肢使用者机械触觉反馈恢复方法》，该研究表明，在基本试验中，增加反馈有助于减少使用者抓握物体所需的能量约30%-50%。基于这一极具前景的研究基地，该项目重点设计和开发可穿戴的套套、电子设备、肌电界面和感觉工具，形成Koalaa ALX触觉假肢。这项技术将有助于解决上肢活动的一个简单但非常重要的部分，使用户能够减少操作所需的能量，提高满意度，并帮助减少昂贵的放弃

**KoALX - Development of a closed-loop sensory 'touch' feedback system and haptic sleeve for upper limb prothesis**Building upon Koalaa's patented-soft socket design, which has been adopted by over 3,000 amputees, the project focuses on the design and development of unique haptic feedback functionality.Once mounted, the sleeve extends from the participant's proximal forearm to their wrist, allowing for a secure and comfortable fit while leaving enough space for an EMG electrode placement immediately distal to the elbow joint. The device is designed to compress the forearm proportionally to the pressure detected at prosthetic fingertips, thus delivering continuous mechanotactile feedbackThe addition of haptics to this is a game-changing step forward in prothesis and not possible in current hard-shell designed bionics. The projects builds directly upon academic research _'**A Haptic Sleeve as a Method of Mechanotactile Feedback Restoration for Myoelectric Hand Prosthesis Users'**_ published by Aidan D. Roche from Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, which showed in basic trials the addition of feedback helped reduce the energy Users required to grip objects by ~30%-50%.Based upon this highly-promising research base, the project focuses on the design and development of the wearable sleeve, electronics, EMG interface and sensory tools the form the Koalaa ALX Haptic Prosthesis. The technology will help address a simple but hugely significant part of upper limb activity, enabling users to reduce the energy needed to operate, increase satisfaction and help reduce costly abandonment