Tactile feedback through Velostat and motion algorithm for a neural prosthesis

The objective of this paper is to find a solution for providing tactile feedback to a neural prosthesis prototype. Several sensors for contact and pressure were developed based on a sandwich-like structure with Velostat for getting a reaction from the prosthesis. An innovative motion algorithm, that uses the sensorial feed-back, was implemented: the "Double Click" command on a laptop touchpad. The signals received from the Velostat sensors presented in this paper can also be used for the stimulation of implanted electrodes, wrapped around the remaining nerves of the patients’ stump, and the user will perceive a tactile sensation. This way the bidirectional communication will be possible between the user and the prosthesis.