The nerve of it all

European scientists claim that a new generation of artificial limbs that are controlled by the brain and similar to a "natural" extension of the body may soon become a reality.

Says Paolo Dario, head of a consortium of research institutions from 4 European countries called INTER, "Our goal is to develop an implantable connector, capable of interfacing a nerve of the human nervous system to an external device, such as an artificial limb. Our research has indicated that the nerve regenerates in a satisfactory and a reliable way through the neural connectors developed by us." Efforts are now on to stimulate the nerves to coordinate the movement of the artificial limb.