ABSTRACT
The interface comprises an artificial skin covering the prosthesis with a dense network of tactile sensors and a compact stimulation device delivering electrical current pulses through a matrix electrode with many conductive pads. The artificial skin will measure the properties of the contact and this information will be transmitted to the user by delivering electrotactile stimulation through the matrix electrode. A high-bandwidth tactile feedback channel that could enable real-time transfer of information from high-density electronic skin sensors might be available in the near future. Only in recent years advances in transcutaneous electrical stimulation technology, including compact stimulation hardware and multiarray electrodes, allowed the design of miniaturized systems that can provide sufficient flexibility to be considered as possibly the best channel for providing tactile feedback and closing the loop in myoelectric prostheses. The main motivation for implementing a high-density sensing and stimulation interface is that it would improve the utility of a prosthetic system as well as user experience.
