Toward the Development of User-Centered Neurointegrated Lower Limb Prostheses

Abstract

The last few years witnessed radical improvements in lower-limb prostheses. Researchers have presented innovative solutions to overcome the limits of the first generation of prostheses, refining specific aspects which could be implemented in future prostheses designs. Each aspect of lower-limb prostheses has been upgraded, but despite these advances, a number of deficiencies remain and the most capable limb prostheses fall far short of the capabilities of the healthy limb. This article describes the current state of prosthesis technology; identifies a number of deficiencies across the spectrum of lower limb prosthetic components with respect to users’ needs; and discusses research opportunities in design and control that would substantially improve functionality concerning each deficiency. In doing so, the authors present a roadmap of patients related issues that should be addressed in order to fulfill the vision of a next-generation, neurally-integrated, highly-functional lower limb prosthesis.