Conclusions and future outlook

Abstract

This book has summarized the significant advances that have taken place mainly in the past three decades in all aspects of bionic limb reconstruction. They relate to new surgical approaches for improving the biomechanical and neural interfacing of robotic limbs to the human body, precision mechanics and miniaturized electronics for robotic design, algorithms that interpret biosignals, implantation technology, as well as rehabilitation protocols and technology for promoting learning of new motor tasks. These advances have provided several new directions for research and clinical translation of bionic limbs. Nonetheless, despite the efforts and the achievements, the daily clinical reality indicates to us that the solutions offered to amputees, especially in case of complex limb deficiencies, are still far from satisfactory. The loss of a limb cannot yet be treated with assistive technologies that approach the functions of biological limbs. If we consider the challenges to be addressed, we may conclude that this goal is not even at the horizon.