Biorealistic hand prosthesis with compliance control and noninvasive somatotopic sensory feedback

Abstract

Significant advances have been made to improve control and to provide sensory functions for bionic hands. However, great challenges remain limiting wide acceptance of bionic hands due to inadequate bi-directional neural compatibility with human users. Recent research has brought to light the necessity for matching neuromechanical behaviors between the prosthesis and the sensorimotor system of amputees. A novel approach to achieving greater neural compatibility leverages the technology of biorealistic modeling with real-time computation. These studies have demonstrated a promising outlook that this unique approach may transform the performance of hand prostheses. Simultaneously, a non-invasive technique of somatotopic sensory feedback has been developed based on evoked tactile sensation (ETS) for conveying natural, intuitive and digit-specific tactile information to users. This article reports the recent work in these two important aspects of sensorimotor functions in prosthetic research. A background review is presented first on the state-of-the-art of bionic hand and the various techniques to deliver tactile sensory information to users. Then the progress in developing the novel biorealistic hand prosthesis and the technique of non-invasive ETS feedback is highlighted. Finally, challenges to future development of the biorealistic hand prosthesis and implementing the ETS feedback are discussed with respect to shaping a next-generation hand prosthesis.