Sensory feedback for limb prostheses in amputees

Commercial prosthetic devices currently do not provide natural sensory information on the interaction with objects or movements. The subsequent disadvantages include unphysiological walking with a prosthetic leg and difficulty in controlling the force exerted with a prosthetic hand, thus creating health issues. Restoring natural sensory feedback from the prosthesis to amputees is an unmet clinical need. An optimal device should be able to elicit natural sensations of touch or proprioception, by delivering the complex signals to the nervous system that would be produced by skin, muscles and joints receptors. This Review covers the various neurotechnological approaches that have been proposed for the development of the optimal sensory feedback restoration device for arm and leg amputees. This Review highlights the approaches that have been utilized in the implementation of sensory feedback onto prosthetic devices to restore the sensation of touch and proprioception for amputees.

Automated summary

Commercial prosthetic devices currently lack natural sensory feedback, leading to unphysiological movement and health issues for users. Restoring natural sensory feedback to amputees is a clinical need that has not been met. Various neurotechnological approaches have been proposed for developing optimal sensory feedback restoration devices for arm and leg amputees.