[The artificial hand. An overview of hand prostheses]

In spite of constant demands made by patients for optimal reconstruction of the hand in cases of injury or amputation, prosthetic devices allow only basic functions of the hand. The most important function, i.e., to connect sensitive-tactile abilities of the hand with the eye and central nervous system, has not yet been achieved and will not be feasible in the near future. There have been numerous attempts to reconstruct single hand functions such as subtle finger control in all known directions etc. Until now none of these attempts have led to any serial production of a functional "tool" because the interface between prosthesis and CNS has not been sufficiently resolved. Minute finger control requires considerable mechanical engineering that includes an efficient motor drive and an adequate power supply,which renders possible prototypes for hand prostheses heavy and complicated in everyday performance. This survey offers a short and comprehensive introduction to high-performance but simple "down-to-earth" orthotic and prosthetic devices for the replacement of lost forearm,hand, and finger function.