Integration of a virtual protheses with a multichannel tactile feedback interface

Tactile feedback is a prime element for improving the amputee ability to interact with different objects. Providing effective sensory feedback to the prostheses is still an unresolved issue. Different approaches had been used to enable bi-directional communication between the prosthesis and the user; however, none could fully replicate the human hand natural sensation. In this regards, we used a 3D virtual hand simulator to communicate the tactile information resulting from hand manipulation. A MATLAB based graphical interface has been developed to control the virtual prosthesis and map tactile sensory data to a multichannel electrotactile stimulation system. Moreover, we presented a spatially coded hand map in accordance with the custom designed electrode array.