Researchers from Case Western Reserve University’s Human Fusions Institute (HFI) recently displayed their work at “American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day” in Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
While more than 40 groundbreaking innovations from around the country were highlighted, HFI’s iSens system was one of three selected to be presented to President Joe Biden.
The iSens system, designed in the HFI lab directed by Dustin Tyler, the Kent H. Smith II Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Case School of Engineering, allows those with limb loss to move the prosthesis by thought and provides sensation that feels to the user like the prosthesis is their actual hand. This technology comes as close as possible to replacing the lost limb, providing individuals with a sense of touch and the ability to control their prosthesis by simply thinking about moving their own hand.
The system is the result of 15 years of funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs and DARPA HAPTIX and RE-NET programs, and the lab remains committed to developing technologies to change the lives of individuals who have lost limbs and improve human health through innovation.
Study participant Brandon Prestwood got the chance to demonstrate for Biden the system he believes changed his life.
Leah Roldan, a PhD student in Tyler’s lab who accompanied Prestwood, said Biden was especially interested in how the technology worked.