Objectives and technological approach to the development of the multifunctional MANUS upper limb prosthesis

The design of multifunctional upper limb prosthetics has been investigated in recent years. In 1998, the MANUS consortium was set up on the basis of multidisciplinary skills of the partners in order to provide a global approach to the problem of upper limb prosthetics. In the framework of this approach, the consortium addressed the development of appropriate hand mechanics, the analysis and implementation of control electronics, the development of advanced control strategies and the implementation of broad band command interfaces based on EMG. As a result, the prototype of a multifunctional prosthesis was developed, integrated and clinically evaluated. This paper describes the objectives, technological approach and results of the MANUS prosthesis prototype.