Research unit Bionics aims at improving the quality of life in people who have had amputations, central or peripheral nerve injuries, stroke, or other events leading to sensorimotor impairment. The research unit is located on Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s campus in Mölndal, which is important in developing medical engineering technologies that can be clinically implemented to help patients in need.
Our research focuses on four main areas:
- Bionic arms
- Bionic legs
- Neurorehabilitation
- Pain caused by sensorimotor impairments
Center for Bionics and Pain Research (CBPR)
The Center for Bionics and Pain Research (CBPR) is a multi-disciplinary center consisting of researchers, engineers, students, physicians, and other healthcare professionals from Chalmers University of Technology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
We work to restore quality of life and functionality in people who have had amputations, stroke, nerve injuries, or other events leading to sensorimotor impairment. Located at Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s campus in Mölndal, it is important to us to develop biomedical engineering technologies that can be implemented in the clinic to help patients in need.
Our research focuses on 4 main areas:
- Upper limb neuromusculoskeletal prostheses (Bionic arms)
- Lower limb neuromusculoskeletal prostheses (Bionic legs)
- Pain caused by sensorimotor impairments
- Neuroprosthetics for sensorimotor impairments (Neurorehabilitation)
We are also interested in understanding the basic mechanisms of motor control, perception, neuropathic pain, and their pathologies.
Upper limb neuromusculoskeletal prostheses (Bionic arms)
CBPR originates from the development of a neuromusculoskeletal implant system in 2013. This implant contains a mechanical osseointergated attachment connected to the bone and electrodes connected to muscles and nerves that provide the patient with intuitive control and sensory feedback. The mechanical implant was developed by Associate Professor Rickard Brånemark and the additional components including implanted electrodes were designed by Professor Max Ortiz Catalan. Since then, several patients are using this system in their daily life and the majority has a significantly improved quality of life. The scope of our current research evolves around the improvement of this technology, with the use of neuromuscular interfaces, analog and digital electronics, bioelectric signal processing, pattern recognition, control algorithms, and most importantly, the clinical implementation of this technology.
Lower limb neuromusculoskeletal prostheses (Bionic legs)
We are working to translate our experience in upper limb prosthetics to lower limbs, in order to provide unprecedented prosthetic control for patients with lower limb amputations. Our research focuses on the development, validation, and clinical implementation of new osseointegrated implants in various locations in the lower extremity. This research has the potential to greatly improve not only the functionality but the quality of life for its users.
Neurorehabilitation (Neurorehab)
Individuals who suffer from sensorimotor impairment such as stroke or nerve injuries often require long-term physical therapy. These individuals may have difficulties fully reintegrating into society and into the labor market after their injury. Our research takes advantage of non-invasive methodologies including myoelectric controlled virtual and augmented reality to improve sensory and motor functionality in these difficult-to-treat patients.
Pain caused by sensorimotor impairments
Pain caused by sensorimotor impairments, such as after amputation or spinal cord injury, can greatly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it. We are developing new methods for the treatment of postamputation pain. This includes research studies with non-invasive technologies such as myoelectric controlled virtual and augmented reality, and surgical treatments. Our work also includes research into the epidemiology and neurocorrelates of phantom limb pain to receive a better understanding of the causes of pain.
