University of Pittsburgh

West Virginia University

Robert Gaunt

Douglas John Weber

Timothy Bruns

Matthew Boots

Sergiy Yakovenko

Anton Sobinov

Jennifer Collinger

Valeriya Gritsenko

Lee Fisher

Lee Erik Bartholomew Fisher

Methods and apparatuses for monitoring and regulating physiological states and functions are disclosed. Several embodiments include application of one or more microelectrode arrays to a dorsal root ganglion for measurement of sensory neuron activity, or stimulation of sensory reflex circuits. The methods and apparatuses can be used, for example, for monitoring or controlling bladder function in a patient.

Monitoring and regulating physiological states and functions via sensory neural inputs to the spinal cord

A system and method for controlling a device, such as a virtual reality (VR) and/or a prosthetic limb are provided. A biomimetic controller of the system comprises a signal processor and a musculoskeletal model. The signal processor processes M biological signals received from a residual limb to transform the M biological signals into N activation signals, where M and N are integers and M is less than N. The musculoskeletal model transforms the N activation signals into intended motion signals. A prosthesis controller transforms the intended motion signals into three or more control signals that are outputted from an output port of the prosthesis controller. A controlled device receives the control signals and performs one or more tasks in accordance with the control signals.

Systems and methods for approximating musculoskeletal dynamics

The present disclosure provides a method of reducing phantom limb pain or diabetic neuropathy pain, and increasing prosthetic control, by stimulating dorsal spinal rootlets and/or lateral spinal cord adjacent to the dorsal rootlets, of sensory neurons innervating the limb with the phantom limb pain or diabetic neuropathy pain, or the prosthetic.

Treatment of phantom limb pain and diabetic neuropathy pain, and increasing prosthetic control, by stimulation of dorsal rootlets and lateral spinal cord

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Robert Gaunt