美国芝加哥大学Giacomo Valle等研究人员，揭示了通过人类体感皮层的模式化微刺激感知触觉边缘和运动。2025年1月17日，国际知名学术期刊《科学》发表了这一成果。

通过利用人们对触觉特征在初级体感皮层（S1）中编码的理解，研究人员旨在向瘫痪个体传达皮肤上物体的局部几何形状和表观运动。研究人员通过具有空间模式化投影场（PF）的电极同时施加体感皮层的皮层内微刺激（ICMS），引发边缘感知。

随后，研究人员创建了复杂的PF，用于编码任意触觉形状和皮肤压痕模式。通过施加时空模式化的ICMS，研究人员引发了皮肤上的运动感知，其速度和方向可以被控制。通过这种方式，研究人员改善了个体的触觉体验，并提升了脑控仿生手的使用效果。

据介绍，ICMS引发触觉感知，其特性可以通过改变刺激参数进行系统调控。然而，目前ICMS提供的触觉体验并不完美，限制了手部灵活性和触觉体验。

附：英文原文

Title: Tactile edges and motion via patterned microstimulation of the human somatosensory cortex

Author: Giacomo Valle, Ali H. Alamri, John E. Downey, Robin Lienkmper, Patrick M. Jordan, Anton R. Sobinov, Linnea J. Endsley, Dillan Prasad, Michael L. Boninger, Jennifer L. Collinger, Peter C. Warnke, Nicholas G. Hatsopoulos, Lee E. Miller, Robert A. Gaunt, Charles M. Greenspon, Sliman J. Bensmaia

Issue&Volume: 2025-01-17

Abstract: Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) of somatosensory cortex evokes tactile sensations whose properties can be systematically manipulated by varying stimulation parameters. However, ICMS currently provides an imperfect sense of touch, limiting manual dexterity and tactile experience. Leveraging our understanding of how tactile features are encoded in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), we sought to inform individuals with paralysis about local geometry and apparent motion of objects on their skin. We simultaneously delivered ICMS through electrodes with spatially patterned projected fields (PFs), evoking sensations of edges. We then created complex PFs that encode arbitrary tactile shapes and skin indentation patterns. By delivering spatiotemporally patterned ICMS, we evoked sensation of motion across the skin, the speed and direction of which could be controlled. Thus, we improved individuals’ tactile experience and use of brain-controlled bionic hands.

DOI: adq5978

Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq5978