Re-Wiring the Sense of Touch (broadcast Friday, November 30th, 2007)

This is the first "targeted reinnervation" patient. Targeted reinnervation is the transfer of amputated nerves to spare muscle and skin in an amputee's residual limb. The nerves grow into the muscle. This technique could provide additional control signals for the operation of a prosthesis. (Credits: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) See More Videos

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(Credits: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) See More Videos

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Watch researchers grow a heart. (Credits: courtesy of University of Minnesota) See More Videos

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Doctors have rewired the nerves of two people with amputated arms, re-routing the major nerves that carry sensation from the hand to the pectoral muscles in the chest. After the procedure, the patients can experience an object touching a portion of their chest in two ways at the same time -- the expected feeling of being touched on the chest, as well as the sensation of being touched on a missing hand.

In this segment, Ira talks with one of the doctors involved in the project about how the re-wiring works, and whether it could lead to more effective prosthetic devices. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.