Myoelectric partial-hand prostheses offer the potential for a wide range of functional hand grasps not previously available to partial-hand amputees. Despite these advances, there is still an important need to develop more effective methods of controlling them. Many interesting studies investigating the use of pattern- recognition-based myoelectric control (PRMC) have shown that electromyographic signals (EMG) from the extrinsic muscles of the hand provide highly-accurate control of prostheses in individuals with high-level amputations. However, these studies fail to address an essential challenge that is unique to partial-hand amputees: the presence of a functional wrist. Not only can the wrist be in any position when the user initiates movement of their prosthesis, it can also be in active motion during the movements. Moreover, the muscle contractions responsible for these motions influence properties of the EMG from the extrinsic muscles, and consequently the performance of a PRMC system. In this study, we will use principal component analysis to describe how wrist kinematics affect the properties of EMG from the extrinsic muscles. We will incorporate recorded wrist kinematic information into both linear and non-linear pattern-recognition systems. Finally, we will test the real-time ability of these PRMC systems to accommodate the effect of wrist kinematics, preserve wrist function and improve partial-hand prosthetic control.

Public Health Relevance

Many partial-hand amputees, who have lost a part of their hand, are still able to move their wrist and this motion can interfere with the electric signals produced by the muscles that control the hand. The goal of this study is to determine how wrist motion affects these electric signals. We propose methods that account for the effect of wrist motion and allow partial-hand amputees to move their wrist while simultaneously successfully controlling their prosthetic hand.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
4F31HD078092-03
Application #
8962088
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Quatrano, Louis A
Project Start
2013-12-01
Project End
2016-11-30
Budget Start
2015-12-01
Budget End
2016-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
160079455
City
Evanston
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60201
Adewuyi, Adenike A; Hargrove, Levi J; Kuiken, Todd A (2017) Resolving the effect of wrist position on myoelectric pattern recognition control. J Neuroeng Rehabil 14:39
Adewuyi, Adenike A; Hargrove, Levi J; Kuiken, Todd A (2016) An Analysis of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hand Muscle EMG for Improved Pattern Recognition Control. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 24:485-94
Earley, Eric J; Adewuyi, Adenike A; Hargrove, Levi J (2014) Optimizing pattern recognition-based control for partial-hand prosthesis application. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2014:3574-7