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A Systematic Review on the Development of Transhumeral Prostheses: Structural Design, Control Systems, and Functional Integration

Abstract:

Transhumeral amputations pose a significant challenge in upper-limb rehabilitation due to the complexity of restoring elbow joint functionality. Recent advances in materials, sensors, actuators, and control systems have driven development of increasingly sophisticated prosthetic devices. This article presents a PRISMA-guided systematic review of transhumeral prosthesis design trends from 2013–2023, analyzing 26 high-impact studies focused on actuator configurations, material selection, signal acquisition technologies (EMG, EEG), and control architectures. Findings reveal a predominance of circular actuators for elbow/wrist joints, widespread use of ABS and aluminum in structural components, and a growing shift toward open-loop EMG-based control systems. The mechatronic approach—integrating mechanics, electronics, and embedded control—emerges as a key trend, though challenges persist in socket personalization, energy management, and functional validation.