In another major step toward dissolving the boundaries between machine and human, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded prime contracts for Phase 1 of its Hand Proprioception and Touch Interfaces (HAPTIX) program to a multi-institution research team. HAPTIX (a play on “haptics“) seeks to create a prosthetic hand system that moves and provides sensation like a natural hand, according to DARPA.

Despite recent advances in technology for upper-limb prostheses, artificial arms and hands are still unable to provide users with sensory feedback, such as the “feel” of things being touched or awareness of limb position and movement.

HAPTIX seeks to create “a sensory experience so rich and vibrant that users would want to wear their prostheses full time,” said DARPA’s statement. “By restoring sensory functions, HAPTIX also aims to reduce or eliminate phantom limb pain, which affects about 80 percent of amputees.” The ultimate goal: help restore full and natural functionality to wounded Service members and veterans.

Specifically, the idea is to incorporate sensors that provide tactile and proprioceptive feedback to the patient from their hands, delivered through a patterned stimulation of sensory pathways in peripheral nerves. So the bionic hand would be able to perform movements of a human hand and experience pressure, touch, and texture.

President Obama referred to DARPA’s numerous advanced prosthetics programs in his 2015 State of the Union address in January, saying the U.S. government is interested in “creating revolutionary prosthetics, so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kids again.”

DARPA hopes to convince the FDA to fast-track approval for human trials of a complete, FDA-approved HAPTIX prosthesis system within four years.

DARPA is working with teams led by the following institutions:

Lawrence Livermore National Labs (LLNL) Neural Tech Group

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland Clinic

Draper Laboratory

Nerves Incorporated

Ripple LLC

University of Pittsburgh

University of Utah

University of Florida

Miniaturizing electronics

LLNL said it intends to further develop the advanced prosthetic limb systems developed under DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics and Reliable Neural-Interface Technology (RE-NET) programs, intended to provide a direct, powerful link between user intent and prosthesis control. Meaning: control prosthetic hand movements with their thoughts and have natural sensations.

LLNL is developing wireless electronic packages for HAPTIX called smart packages. These packages would contain electronics that record and stimulate the peripheral nervous system to control movement and sensation in a patient’s prosthetic hand.

LLNL plans to design smart packages to miniaturize electronics normally the size of a third of a cell phone into a package the size of a watch battery. The electronics would be made of ceramics and titanium, biocompatible materials that would seal the package tightly, preventing components from leaking into nerves or human tissue from entering the package.

The Neural Tech Group is also collaborating with Medtronic and Ardiem Medical. Some collaborators plan to develop the electrode arrays for sensation and muscle control, while others aim to validate and characterize it.



DARPA | HAPTIX Virtual Limb Simulator Technologies



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