Virtual Prototyping and User Training for Neural Prosthetic Systems in Msms

Research on control of human movement and development of neural prostheses for restoration and rehabilitation of movement after spinal cord injury and amputation can benefit greatly from modeling and virtual simulation. MSMS is a software tool that can be used to develop models of human or prosthetic limbs and the objects they interact with and simulate their movement in interactive virtual reality environments. Specialized tools and utilities allow users to test and evaluate mechanical characteristics of prosthetic limbs before manufacturing, evaluate their controllability by the patients in interactive virtual environments before clinical application, and train the patient to operate them effectively once they are delivered to the patients. MSMS's modeling and simulation tools are routinely used in a number of research laboratories around the country to study the control of movement and develop and test neural prostheses for patients with paralysis and amputations.