Prosthetic Hand: a Brief Survey of Design and Actuation Technologies

The loss of a hand can significantly affect the level of independence and ability to perform daily activities for upper limb amputees affecting both their work and social activities. Consequently, upper limb prosthetics, particularly intelligent prosthetic hands, play a crucial role in restoring the functions of the biological hand to the amputated part. Prosthetic hands can be categorized into two main types: passive body-powered and powered. This review focuses exclusively on powered prosthetic hands, examining their mechanical designs, a topic that has been underexplored in previous reviews. The review aims to address this gap by highlighting the types of actuators, mechanisms, materials, and structural analyses used in smart hand prostheses, with reference to relevant papers up to December 2023. This paper will be a complete reference for designers, researchers, and those interested in the field of prosthetics and will be able to identify areas where further research is needed and gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by amputees and the technologies available to help them regain their independence.