Innovation in Prosthetic Solutions: Bridging Neuroscience and Engineering for Next-Generation Prosthetic Systems

A special issue of Prosthesis (ISSN 2673-1592). This special issue belongs to the section "Orthopedics and Rehabilitation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 720

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro Protesi Inail, Via Rabuina, 14, 40054 Vigorso di Budrio, Italy
Interests: prosthetics; upper-limb prosthetics; force control; feedback restoration; touch-and-slippage detection; EMG signals; human-hand neurophysiology; human intention detection

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, Campus Bio-Medico, University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
Interests: biomedical robotics; human–machine multimodal interfaces; adaptive control strategies for collaborative robotics; vision-based approaches for motion reconstruction and human–robot interaction; psychophysiological assessment; closed-loop systems; sensory feedback restoration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro Protesi Inail, Via Rabuina, 14, 40054 Vigorso di Budrio, Italy
Interests: design and development of prosthetic limbs; new medical devices; rehabilitation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Prosthetic technology is evolving rapidly, with interdisciplinary research driving both state-of-the-art innovations and explorations of new ideas and perspectives for next-generation prosthetics. This Special Issue will focus on the latest advancements in prosthetic solutions, while also highlighting forward-looking concepts and novel approaches. Our aim is to gather contributions that not only bridge the gap between biological and mechanical systems, but that also propose groundbreaking strategies that can significantly enhance the quality of life for people with amputations.

Topics of interest include:

  • Neural-Controlled Prostheses: Advances in brain–machine interfaces, myoelectric systems, and AI-driven control strategies;
  • Sensory Feedback: Innovative tactile and proprioceptive feedback systems for enhancing embodiment;
  • AI in Prosthetic Control: Machine learning and deep learning models for improving user adaptation and prosthetic control;
  • User-Centered Design: Clinical and user-focused approaches for improving prosthetic design and user experience.

Dr. Cosimo Gentile
Dr. Francesca Cordella
Dr. Emanuele Gruppioni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Prosthesis is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neural interfaces
  • myoelectric control
  • sensory feedback
  • AI in prosthetics
  • user-centered design

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 15326 KiB  
Article
Novel Design of a Transradial Socket to Allow Independent Pro-Supination Control in a Myoelectric Prosthesis
by Ali Hussaini and Peter Kyberd
Prosthesis 2025, 7(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis7020033 - 25 Mar 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Individuals with transradial limb loss or absence often retain the ability to pro-supinate their forearm, but the traditional design of the prosthesis precludes this motion from being used for direct prosthesis control. Methods: A prosthetic arm was created for a [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Individuals with transradial limb loss or absence often retain the ability to pro-supinate their forearm, but the traditional design of the prosthesis precludes this motion from being used for direct prosthesis control. Methods: A prosthetic arm was created for a single user that employed a novel split inner socket to allow pro-supination of the residuum to control a powered prosthetic wrist rotator. A total of 14 subjects (13 able-bodied subjects and one prosthesis user) performed the Refined Clothespin Relocation Test. The user performed the test with their own and a novel research prosthesis, which allowed independent hand and wrist function. Movements of limb segments were recorded using a motion capture system and an analysis of limb segment angles and compensatory motion was made. Results: The research prosthesis reduced compensation in the trunk and head and reduced pain in some joints, while the time to complete the test increased. Conclusions: This method has the potential to create additional intuitive control channels for transradial prostheses. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4188 KiB  
Article
Two-Material-Based Transtibial Socket Designs for Enhanced Load-Bearing Capacity Using FEA
by Prashant Jindal, Prashant Prakash, Harsh Bassal, Prashant Singh, Muhammad Arsh M. Din, Cleveland T. Barnett and Philip Breedon
Prosthesis 2025, 7(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis7020030 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 247
Abstract
Background: Transtibial prosthetic sockets are critical components in the complete assembly of a prosthetic, as they form the major load-bearing parts by housing the residual limb of a prosthesis user. Conventional procedures for manufacturing these sockets require repeated iterations and manual casting, baking, [...] Read more.
Background: Transtibial prosthetic sockets are critical components in the complete assembly of a prosthetic, as they form the major load-bearing parts by housing the residual limb of a prosthesis user. Conventional procedures for manufacturing these sockets require repeated iterations and manual casting, baking, and drying, which often lead to longer processing and waiting times. Additive Manufacturing (AM) enables the creation of bespoke designs with meticulous control over the socket’s shape, thickness, and material composition. Method: To design and propose an optimal socket design to a lower-limb prosthetic user based on their preference of activity such as walking, running, and jumping, we investigated seven materials—Polypropylene (PP) standard material for conventional socket fabrication, Polylactic-acid-plus (PLA+), Polyamide (PA) Natural, Polyamide-6-Glass-Fiber (PA6-GF), Polyamide-copolymer (CoPA), Polyamide-6-Carbon-Fiber (PA6-CF), and Polyamide-12-Carbon-Fiber (PA12-CF)—that have AM compatibility by subjecting them to heavy external loading and evaluating their von Mises stress–strain behavior. Result: Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), we evaluated a single-material design and a combination design with two materials—one major (low cost) and one minor (higher cost)—to optimize a composition that would bear heavy external loads without yielding. A maximum load-bearing capacity of 3650 N was achieved with the combination of PLA+ and 31.54 vol% PA6-CF (30.23 weight%, 99.13 g), costing about USD 14 for the total socket material. Similarly, a combination of PLA+ with 31.54 vol% PA6-GF (30.76 weight%, 101.67 g) exhibited a maximum load-bearing capacity of 2528.91 N. Conclusions: The presence of high-strength CF and GF in minor compositions and at critical locations within the transtibial socket are the suggested reasons for these enhanced load-bearing capacities, due to which these sockets could be used for undertaking a wider range of activities by the prosthesis users. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop