Ideas on sensory feedback in hand prostheses

Abstract

Development of systems for sensory feedback in hand prostheses has not been as successful as that of modern prosthesis control systems. The discrepancy is partly caused by an insufficient analysis of the concept of sensory feedback and by neglect of knowledge on the physiology of kinesthesis. In the present paper modern theories on physiologic kinesthesis are briefly summarized and the implication of these theories on the development of prosthesis sensory feedback systems are discussed. It is concluded that the future development of sensory feedback systems for hand prostheses should be directed towards increased utilization of the physiologic kinesthesis resulting from operation of the prosthesis control systems. This can be obtained by further development of the control systems. One promising approach in this direction is the use of a proportional control signal based on signal acquisition through pattern recognition of multiple myoelectric signals. Development of artificial systems for feedback should be restricted to situations when feedback emerging from the prosthesis control is insufficient. The importance of simplicity and reliability of feedback systems is stressed as well as the necessity to maintain prosthesis self-containment even after application of a feedback system. © 1979, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.