Beyond humanoid prosthetic hands: modular terminal devices that improve user performance
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Despite decades of research and development, myoelectric prosthetic hands lack functionality and are often rejected by users. This lack in functionality can be partially attributed to the widely accepted anthropomorphic design ideology in the field; attempting to replicate human hand form and function despite severe limitations in control and sensing technology. Instead, prosthetic hands can be tailored to perform specific tasks without increasing complexity by shedding the constraints of anthropomorphism. In this paper, we develop and evaluate four open-source modular non-humanoid devices to perform the motion required to replicate human flicking motion and to twist a screwdriver, and the functionality required to pick and place flat objects and to cut paper. Experimental results from these devices demonstrate that, versus a humanoid prosthesis, non-humanoid prosthesis design dramatically improves task performance, reduces user compensatory movement, and reduces task load. Case studies with two end users demonstrate the translational benefits of this research. We found that special attention should be paid to monitoring end-user task load to ensure positive rehabilitation outcomes.
Date Issued
2025-01-13
Date Acceptance
2025-01-09
Citation
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2025, 33, pp.466-475
ISSN
1534-4320
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Start Page
466
End Page
475
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
Volume
33
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License URL
Identifier
10.1109/TNSRE.2025.3528725
Subjects
0903 Biomedical Engineering
0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-01-13