Max Ortiz Catalán
Biography
Prof. Max Ortiz Catalán is a scientist and humanitarian dedicated to reducing disability after limb loss. His work focuses on two fronts: restoring function through bionics and relieving phantom limb pain. He led the development of the first bionic arm connected to the user’s skeleton, nerves, and muscles, and has developed clinically validated treatments for phantom limb pain. He is also the proponent of the Stochastic Entanglement hypothesis, currently the leading scientific framework for studying and treating phantom limb pain. He was appointed Professor of Bionics in Sweden, becoming one of the youngest professors in Europe at the time. His work spans over 180 scientific publications. He leads global education and capacity-building initiatives, including the multilingual #FightPLP campaign. He is currently based in Ukraine, engaged full-time in humanitarian work to expand access to evidence-based rehabilitation in underserved and conflict-affected settings.
Innovation with Purpose: From Bionic Breakthroughs to Relieving Pain Worldwide
Abstract: Technology has the potential to allow patients to reintegrate into society after traumatic events leading to amputations. In addition to the functional challenges associated with amputation, chronic neuropathic pain can further hinder these patients’ quality of life. Prof. Ortiz Catalán will lecture on novel but clinically viable technologies to restore quality of life to patients with limb loss. Using direct skeletal attachment via osseointegration, neuromuscular interfaces, and machine learning, his work resulted in the first artificial arm integrated directly into the patient’s bone, nerves, and muscles. Patients implanted with this system are also provided with intuitive sensory feedback via direct nerve stimulation. Direct skeletal attachment via osseointegration, along with control and sensory feedback via implanted neuromuscular electrodes, can now be provided in a self-contained prosthesis for use in daily life. Prof. Ortiz Catalan will also discuss how motor decoding technology, in combination with virtual reality, can be used to treat Phantom Limb Pain, along with a novel theoretical framework for the condition and its treatment. He will also describe how such technologies have been used for the functional and pain rehabilitation of severe sensorimotor impairments.