What microsurgeon, orthopaedic and plastic surgeon should know about bionic hand

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroprosthetics
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Hand loss presents significant challenges, driving the evolution of prosthetics from passive to advanced robotic solutions.
• Restoring natural sensation and motor control remains a critical unmet need in current prosthetic technology.
• Bionic limbs represent a multidisciplinary effort to bridge this gap, integrating medical and engineering expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current approaches for interfacing bionic hands with residual neuro-muscular structures.
• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various implantable electrode types (intramuscular, epineural, intraneural).
• To highlight the importance of surgical techniques in the development of advanced prosthetic limbs.

Main Methods:

• Review of different implantable electrode types for neuro-prosthetic interfaces.
• Discussion of surgical implantation techniques for residual limb integration.
• Analysis of historical prosthetic evolution and current technological advancements.

Main Results:

• Various implant types offer complementary benefits and drawbacks for prosthetic integration.
• Long-term implantable electrodes are being developed for natural sensory feedback and effortless control.
• Surgical techniques are crucial for successful prosthetic limb implementation.

Conclusions:

• Bionic hands offer a promising future for dramatically increasing health and quality of life for amputees.
• Advanced prosthetic technology, including improved sensory feedback and control, can significantly decrease rejection rates.
• Continued multidisciplinary collaboration is key to advancing neuroprosthetic limb development.