Platform for Adaptation of Myoelectric Prostheses in People with Upper Limb Amputation

Abstract

This paper describes a platform for adaptation of myoelectric prostheses in people with upper limb amputation. The design of the platform is based on the anthropometry and biomechanics of human upper limb, servomotors are used to drive each degree of freedom, except in the articulation of the elbow, in which a gear motor is used. The myoelectric signal acquisition system includes Myoware myoelectric signal sensors from the company Advancer Technologies, an embedded system based on Arduino and a graphic interface to visualize myoelectric signals in real time. The implementation platform allows to replicate flexion/extension movements for the elbow, wrist, and each finger of the hand, pronation/supination of the wrist, and adduction/abduction of the thumb. The data acquisition system allows to visualize in real time, muscular activity concerning for 4 muscles, and was tested in people with upper limb amputation registering significant values for different movement intentions. The platform presented provides a feedback that could improve the adaptation of a superior limb amputee to a myoelectric prosthesis. The characterization of myoelectric signals generated by the residual limb of a person with upper limb amputation, allows to generate control signals according to a movement intention that would be replicated in the platform.