Superimposed limbs and augmented reality 'provides pain relief'
Using muscle signals from the patient's arm stump, Catalan was able to trigger a system called "augmented reality."
Explaining the process in detail, Catalan says the muscles in the arm stump send out electrical signals that are sensed by electrodes on the skin. Complex algorithms then translate these electrical signals into arm movements.
On a computer screen, the patient was shown an arm that was superimposed onto his stump. He was able to control the movements of this arm using his own neural command in real time.
After a period of treatment using this method, Catalan says the man now has periods where he is completely free of pain - something that never happened when using already-existing treatment methods.