The current state of bionic limbs from the surgeon's viewpoint
Marko Bumbaširević1,2, Aleksandar Lesic1,2, Tomislav Palibrk1,2
1School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
EFORT Open Reviews
|March 17, 2020
Summary
Bionic limbs offer improved sensation and control for amputees by interfacing directly with biological tissues. These advanced prosthetics enhance embodiment and reintegration into society, addressing the profound impact of limb loss.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neuroprosthetics
Background:
- Amputations cause significant physical, psychological, and socioeconomic challenges, including poor prosthetic embodiment.
- Standard prosthetics lack sensory feedback, limiting natural control and patient acceptance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the classification and interfacing methods of bionic limbs.
- To highlight the advantages of bionic limbs in improving amputee outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Classification of bionic limbs based on tissue interfacing: targeted muscular reinnervation (TMR), direct muscle interfacing, and direct nerve interfacing.
- Description of surgical procedures for electrode implantation in direct nerve interfacing.
- Explanation of signal acquisition and prosthesis actuation for each type.
Main Results:
- Bionic limbs establish a biological-electronic interface for motor control and sensory feedback.
- Targeted muscular reinnervation (TMR) redirects residual nerves to available muscles.
- Direct muscle and nerve interfacing utilize implants for recording muscle contractions or receiving sensor signals, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Bionic limbs significantly improve sensation, controllability, and embodiment of artificial limbs.
- These advancements offer better reintegration for amputees.
- Direct nerve interfacing holds potential for enhancing phantom limb sensation.
