19. Max Ortiz-Catalan: on neuroprosthetics, phantom limb pain, and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

Dr. Max Ortiz-Catalan (LinkedIn, Google Scholar, website) shares his journey from electronics engineering to becoming a leading expert in neuroprosthetics. He discusses the challenges of medical device regulation across the world, the advancements in control mechanisms for prosthetics, and the role of machine learning in decoding user intentions. The conversation also touches on cultural perspectives regarding prosthetic acceptance and the importance of neuroplasticity in enhancing sensory feedback for users. Max discusses the complexities of neural interfaces and sensory feedback in prosthetics, the challenges of treating phantom limb pain, and his humanitarian efforts in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

A few important links:

• The charitable foundation, Remedi Ukraine, supports individuals severely affected by war, such as students who lost their families and are in need of support to continue their education. LEARN MORE
• The Center for Complex Endoprosthesis, Osseointegration, and Bionics (CCEOB), along with Tytanovi, are charitable foundations devoted to the rehabilitation of people with limb loss. Located in Kyiv, Ukraine, they provide functional (prosthetics), psychological, and pain rehabilitation to those injured by war. LEARN MORE
• Prometei Pain Rehabilitation Center is charitable foundation dedicated to treat patients with neuropathic pain, in articular, phantom limb pain (PLP). LEARN MORE
• Theoretical framework for pain research: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2018.00748/full
• WIRED documentary on neuroprostheses: https://youtu.be/Ipw_2A2T_wg?si=8ASkmco4Eaa39a9n