Biomimicry and the design of multigrasp transradial prostheses

This chapter discusses some important design objectives regarding the design of multigrasp prosthetic hands, and describes two approaches toward the design of such hands. The first approach is highly biomimetic in nature, particularly with regard to the location of actuators within the prostheses, and the nature of the mapping between the neural command (e.g., electromyogram, or EMG) and movement. The second approach represents a compromised degree of biomimicry, in which some aspects of the biological system are retained, while other aspects are discarded in recognition of the spatial and sensory design constraints associated with upper extremity amputees.