Tradeoffs at the Man-Machine Interface in Cybernetic Prostheses/Orthoses

Although contemporary research efforts in prostheses and ortheses have yet to have much general impact on the rehabilitation of humans with neuromuscular-skeletal defects, some research results and, to a much lesser extent, clinical applications of advanced concepts and techniques have progressed to the point where an overall codification of the field is possible. An attempt to assess the advantages and liabilities of different approaches may prove useful.