Possibly old news but I thought I'd pass on this article in New Scientist in case it can offer anyone hope ... or even get them pushing for one of these themselves! The article at:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25008-natural-sense-of-touch-...

reports how a Swiss technology institute based in Lausanne has restored a sense of feeling to an amputee. Fascinating technology - it is very interesting to read how it is related to cochlear implants that have already restored a sense of hearing to many deaf people.

I love it when I see several fields of technology R&D come together like this to create new practical advances.