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Neuromechanical Simulation and Sensory Feedback for the Control of Bionic Legs

Description du projet

Former des chercheurs en début de carrière pour obtenir des prothèses plus intelligentes

La technologie des membres prothétiques a évolué considérablement au cours de la dernière décennie, mais elle n’est pas encore capable d’apporter une marche fluide aux personnes qui en dépendent pour se déplacer. Ce secteur, bien que prometteur, souffre d’un manque de professionnels formés aux complexités de cette technologie appliquée à la vie quotidienne. SimBionics consiste en un projet, impliquant un centre clinique et un leader mondial du domaine des prothèses, destiné à former quatre chercheurs en début de carrière qui développeront des membres prothétiques en intégrant la neuromécanique et le retour sensoriel. Les personnes amputées utilisant ces jambes bioniques les ressentiront comme une extension de leur corps, car la prothèse reproduira la mécanique de la marche d’une manière bien plus précise. La formation sera pluridisciplinaire et professionnalisante, tout en étant bénéfique pour la société.

Objectif

Robotic lower limb prostheses, or bionic legs, have underwent tremendous mechatronic advances in the past decade. However, current prosthesis control interfaces are still sub-optimal leading to inefficient walking. To address this limit, there is need for highly trained professionals that work at the intersection of academic research, clinical assessment and market translation. However, current doctoral training programs do not equip candidates with the complex skillset required to develop prosthetic limbs.

SimBionics will establish a comprehensive training program that will equip Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) with the engineering, clinical and entrepreneurial skills required to bring an idea into the market. SimBionics brings together two internationally recognized academic centers, one clinical center and one of the world leading companies in prosthetics. Four ESRs will be trained to develop a radically new control interface that integrates, for the first time, neuromechanical modeling and artificial sensory feedback. This will enable bionic legs to mimic the mechanics of their biological counterparts, so that amputees perceive the prosthesis as an extension of their own body.

ESR training will cover all phases of development; from technology conceptualization to translation into a successful product. ESRs will learn to investigate user and stakeholder requirements. They will learn regulatory aspects for medical products, reimbursement mechanisms, intellectual property, and elements that can block successful development. ESRs will thus receive a tailored career development plan including skills acquisition, project/teamwork management, and open science/gender aspects. Outreach activities will be realized to improve public understanding of SimBionics’ socio-economical potentials and clinical benefits. SimBionics will enhance ESRs’ career perspectives and establish a reference for technology development training program.

Coordinateur

OTTOBOCK SE & CO. KGAA
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 421 314,00
Adresse
MAX-NADER-STRASSE 15
37115 Duderstadt
Allemagne

Voir sur la carte

Région
Niedersachsen Braunschweig Göttingen
Type d’activité
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Liens
Coût total
€ 421 314,00

Participants (2)