Direct neural control of prostheses via nerve implants

The primary goal of direct neural control is to provide a seamless interface to the body's own control and feedback systems. In the case of an upper limb amputation, such an interface would ideally enable a direct mapping of motor commands and sensory feedback to and from a prosthesis and the undamaged portion of the nervous system. In theory, this interface could be constructed in such a way that control of the prosthesis was transparent to the user, feeling as close as possible to the original limb. This idealised paradigm would require no training or learning on the part of the user or the prosthesis. To provide this level of natural control, an interface is required between the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the prosthesis. In practice, of course, no such ideal interface exists. However, recent developments in electrode design, biocompatible materials and signal processing are paving the way for the emergence of superior interfaces in the future.