Real-Time, Dynamic Sensory Feedback Using Neuromorphic Tactile Signals and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Tian, Yucheng; Slepyan, Ariel; Iskarous, Mark M.; Sankar, Sriramana; Hunt, Christopher L.; Thakor, Nitish V.

doi:10.1109/biocas54905.2022.9948609

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…This result is important considering that, regardless its conscious judgement, artificial feedback can be considered as natural, or intuitive, if it is promptly processed and exploited to effectively interact with the surrounding environment. This leads to a decrease of the cognitive effort required by the usage of neuroprosthetic devices [4,11,27,47], in particular when visual feedback is not available or unreliable, playing a pivotal role in enhancing the device acceptance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Somatotopic and homologous, touch-like sensations have been successfully evoked using invasive electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves [11,19,[40][41][42][43][44]. In order to achieve an homologous and informative artificial feedback on neuroprosthetic devices, the development of sensory encoding algorithms is required [45][46][47]. In standard linear encodings, a single stimulation parameter (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tan et al showed that the sinusoidal modulation of PW was able to elicit a sensation similar to natural touch, probably by favouring a more asynchronous fiber activation [11]. Similarly, new biomimetic approaches have been introduced, based on the hypothesis that mimicking the natural encoding strategies [47,52,53] could bring to significant gains in sensation naturalness (i.e. defined as an electrically-evoked sensation closer to a touch sensation felt with the same skin location of the intact limb).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, object stiffness and size recognition were performed by modulating either only the PA, as in Vargas et al [59,61] or only PW as in D'Anna et al and Shin et al [6,62]. Few more complex, neuromorphic modulations have been implemented in TENS, without leading to significant improvements in sensation quality [47]. Moreover, the elicited sensations are characterized by a low intensity sensitivity (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiparametric non-linear TENS modulation to integrate intuitive sensory feedback

Bucciarelli,

Gozzi,

Katic

et al. 2023

J. Neural Eng.

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Objective. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) has been recently introduced in neurorehabilitation and neuroprosthetics as a promising, non-invasive sensory feedback restoration alternative to implantable neurostimulation. Yet, the adopted stimulation paradigms are typically based on single-parameter modulations (e.g., pulse amplitude PA, pulse-width PW or pulse frequency PF). They elicit artificial sensations characterized by a low intensity resolution (e.g., few perceived levels), low naturalness and intuitiveness, hindering the acceptance of this technology. To address these issues, we designed novel multiparametric stimulation paradigms, featuring the simultaneous modulation of multiple parameters, and implemented them in real-time tests of performance when exploited as artificial sensory inputs. Approach. We initially investigated the contribution of PW and PF variations to the perceived sensation magnitude through discrimination tests. Then, we designed three multiparametric stimulation paradigms comparing them with a standard PW linear modulation in terms of evoked sensation naturalness and intensity. The most performant paradigms were then implemented in real-time in a Virtual Reality - TENS platform to assess their ability to provide intuitive somatosensory feedback in a functional task. Main results. Our study highlighted a strong negative correlation between perceived naturalness and intensity: less intense sensations are usually deemed as more like natural touch. In addition, we observed that PF and PW changes have a different weight on the perceived sensation intensity. As a result, we adapted the Activation Charge Rate (ACR) equation, proposed for implantable neurostimulation to predict the perceived intensity while co-modulating the PF and charge per pulse, to TENS (ACRT). ACRT allowed to design different multiparametric TENS paradigms with the same absolute perceived intensity. Although not reported as more natural, the multiparametric paradigm, based on sinusoidal PF modulation, resulted being more intuitive and subconsciously integrated than the standard linear one. This allowed subjects to achieve a faster and more accurate functional performance. Significance. Our findings suggest that TENS-based, multiparametric neurostimulation, despite not consciously perceived naturally, can provide integrated and more intuitive somatosensory information, as functionally proved. This could be exploited to design novel encoding strategies able to improve the performance of non-invasive sensory feedback technologies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Multiparametric non-linear TENS modulation to integrate intuitive sensory feedback

Bucciarelli,

Gozzi,

Katic

et al. 2023

J. Neural Eng.

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“…31 Many current prosthesis users are not satisfied with their devices that lack sensory feedback, leading to a high abandonment rate. 31,32 Without intuitive sensory feedback, even the most cutting-edge prostheses can seem burdensome and unnatural, demanding significant cognitive efforts from the users and possibly resulting in mental fatigue. 33 Recent research efforts that aim to elicit sensory perception by stimulating the peripheral nerves have shown promises in persons with amputation studies.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Merging Humans and Neuroprosthetics through Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces

Tian,

Vaskov,

Adidharma

et al. 2024

Semin Plast Surg

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Limb amputations can be devastating and significantly affect an individual's independence, leading to functional and psychosocial challenges in nearly 2 million people in the United States alone. Over the past decade, robotic devices driven by neural signals such as neuroprostheses have shown great potential to restore the lost function of limbs, allowing amputees to regain movement and sensation. However, current neuroprosthetic interfaces have challenges in both signal quality and long-term stability. To overcome these limitations and work toward creating bionic limbs, the Neuromuscular Laboratory at University of Michigan Plastic Surgery has developed the Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI). This surgical construct embeds a transected peripheral nerve into a free muscle graft, effectively amplifying small peripheral nerve signals to provide enhanced control signals for a neuroprosthetic limb. Furthermore, the RPNI has the potential to provide sensory feedback to the user and facilitate neuroprosthesis embodiment. This review focuses on the animal studies and clinical trials of the RPNI to recapitulate the promising trajectory toward neurobionics where the boundary between an artificial device and the human body becomes indistinct. This paper also sheds light on the prospects of the improvement and dissemination of the RPNI technology.

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Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on evoked tactile sensation for fingertip force control

Khan,

Li,

Nataraj

et al. 2024

Biomedical Signal Processing and Control

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Real-Time, Dynamic Sensory Feedback Using Neuromorphic Tactile Signals and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

Multiparametric non-linear TENS modulation to integrate intuitive sensory feedback

Multiparametric non-linear TENS modulation to integrate intuitive sensory feedback

Merging Humans and Neuroprosthetics through Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on evoked tactile sensation for fingertip force control

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