Toward Natural Limb Function: A New Era in Prosthetic Innovation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Clinical implementation of neuroprosthetic limbs has advanced significantly over the past decade.
• These devices restore limb function for individuals with limb loss or impairment using peripheral and brain signals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent clinical trials in peripheral neuroprosthetic interfaces.
• To highlight key advances in brain interfaces for neuroprosthetic control.
• To explore future directions combining peripheral and brain interfaces.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical trials focusing on peripheral neuroprosthetic interfaces (nerve, muscle, reinnervated muscle).
• Review of clinical trials using brain interfaces (electroencephalography, electrocorticography, intracortical electrodes).
• Exploration of combined peripheral and brain interface strategies.

Main Results:

• Significant clinical progress in peripheral neuroprosthetic interfaces has been achieved.
• Key advances in brain-computer interfaces demonstrate potential for neuroprosthetic control.
• Combining peripheral and brain interfaces is a promising future direction.

Conclusions:

• Neuroprosthetic limb technology has seen substantial clinical progress.
• Both peripheral and brain interfaces are crucial for restoring limb function.
• Integrated neuroprosthetic systems offer the greatest potential for enhanced performance.