ANALYZING UPPER LIMB REFLEXIVE RESPONSES FOR PROSTHETIC APPLICATIONS

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in upper limb prosthetic hand control, but most of these studies focused on the detection of exact motion intentions. Few results have been reported on the perturbation resistance of prostheses, which is extremely important for their uses in daily life. Understanding the human upper limb reflexive mechanism would provide an efficient solution to improve the perturbation resistance of prostheses. In this study, upper limb reflexive responses to force perturbation were measured in the conditions as determined from activities of daily living. Specifically, not only muscle activities, but also joint angle changes of the reflexive responses to multi-direction, multi-site perturbation during a reaching motion were recorded and analyzed. Results showed a direction-dependency of the upper limb reflexive mechanism and the different roles of shoulder, elbow, and wrist during the responses. The results could be applied to the control system of prosthetic devices for improving their perturbation resistance.

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A novel framework for designing a multi-DoF prosthetic wrist control using machine learning

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94449-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chinmay P. Swami ◽

Nicholas Lenhard ◽

Jiyeon Kang

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Random Forest ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Daily Living ◽

Machine Learning Algorithms ◽

Data Sets ◽

Random Forest Regression ◽

Prosthetic Devices ◽

Upper Limb Function ◽

The Neural Network

AbstractProsthetic arms can significantly increase the upper limb function of individuals with upper limb loss, however despite the development of various multi-DoF prosthetic arms the rate of prosthesis abandonment is still high. One of the major challenges is to design a multi-DoF controller that has high precision, robustness, and intuitiveness for daily use. The present study demonstrates a novel framework for developing a controller leveraging machine learning algorithms and movement synergies to implement natural control of a 2-DoF prosthetic wrist for activities of daily living (ADL). The data was collected during ADL tasks of ten individuals with a wrist brace emulating the absence of wrist function. Using this data, the neural network classifies the movement and then random forest regression computes the desired velocity of the prosthetic wrist. The models were trained/tested with ADLs where their robustness was tested using cross-validation and holdout data sets. The proposed framework demonstrated high accuracy (F-1 score of 99% for the classifier and Pearson’s correlation of 0.98 for the regression). Additionally, the interpretable nature of random forest regression was used to verify the targeted movement synergies. The present work provides a novel and effective framework to develop an intuitive control for multi-DoF prosthetic devices.

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Study on Motion Measurement of Human Upper Limb Based on Electromagnetic Tracking System during the Activities of Daily Living

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.321-324.684 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 321-324 ◽

pp. 684-687 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hai Yan Song ◽

Jian Guo Zhang ◽

Fang Wang

Keyword(s):

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Daily Living ◽

Tracking System ◽

Human Motion ◽

Electromagnetic Tracking ◽

Chinese Adult ◽

Analysis System ◽

Electromagnetic Tracking System ◽

Human Upper Limb

The measurement and analysis of human motion during the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is widely used in rehabilitation, ergonomics, diagnosis, and bionics etc. By using American PolhemusTMelectromagnetic tracking system, the human upper limb motions of 6 objects performing 12 basic actions of ADLs were measured. Then the joint angle ranges of human upper limb were obtained by upper limb motion analysis system developed by ourselves. The results can provide reference for complete, standardized Chinese adult human upper limb kinematics parameters.

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ACTIVE EXOSKELETONS FOR UPPER-LIMB MOTION ASSIST

International Journal of Humanoid Robotics ◽

10.1142/s0219843607001175 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 04 (03) ◽

pp. 607-624 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

KAZUO KIGUCHI

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Daily Living ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Current State ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

State Of Research ◽

Real Time Information ◽

Time Information ◽

Human Upper Limb

This paper presents the current state of research into power-assist exoskeletons for the upper limb. The assist of the upper limb is important for physically weak persons in daily activities, since upper-limb motion is involved in many important motions in daily living. The most important criterion is that power-assist exoskeletons assist the user's motion automatically in accordance with the user's motion intentions. Electromyogram (EMG) signals in which the user's motion intention is reflected could provide vital real-time information to facilitate accurate control of the power-assist exoskeleton in accordance with the user's motion intentions. A four degree-of-freedom active exoskeleton that assists human upper-limb motion (shoulder vertical flexion/extension, shoulder horizontal flexion/extension, elbow flexion/extension, and forearm supination/pronation) is also proposed.

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Assistive Technology for Cognition: Perspectives on Funding

Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders ◽

10.1044/nnsld23.2.84 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 84-89

Author(s):

Kathy de Domingo

Keyword(s):

Assistive Technology ◽

Daily Living ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Personal Digital Assistants ◽

Speech Language Pathology ◽

Prosthetic Devices ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽

Language Pathology ◽

Communication Challenges

Physical and occupational therapists commonly provide services that incorporate prosthetic and orthotic devices such as crutches, canes, reachers, and ankle–foot orthoses to support mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs). Likewise, speech-language pathologists provide services incorporating prosthetic devices to support communication such as an electrolarynx, microcomputers, and mobile devices and apps with voice output capability. Assistive technology for cognition (ATC) includes the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, and smart phones — cognitive prostheses — to compensate for cognitive challenges following acquired brain injury (ABI). Whereas funding sources for devices and services that support/compensate for mobility, ADLs, and communication challenges are generally well established, funding for ATC devices and services is relatively new to the field of speech-language pathology. This article explores the funding aspect of ATC devices and services.

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Effects of Intensive Repetition of a New Facilitation Technique on Upper Limb Function and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Stroke

JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION & REHABILITATION SCIENCE ◽

10.23944/jsers.2019.06.58.3.13 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 58 (3) ◽

pp. 295-314

Author(s):

Sang-Hun Ju ◽

Hwan Kim

Keyword(s):

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Daily Living ◽

Limb Function ◽

Upper Limb Function

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A 4-DOF Upper Limb Exoskeleton for Physical Assistance: Design, Modeling, Control and Performance Evaluation

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11135865 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 5865

Author(s):

Muhammad Ahsan Gull ◽

Mikkel Thoegersen ◽

Stefan Hein Bengtson ◽

Mostafa Mohammadi ◽

Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Tracking Control ◽

Degrees Of Freedom ◽

Control Method ◽

Mechanical Design ◽

Trajectory Tracking Control ◽

Upper Limb Exoskeleton ◽

And Performance ◽

Physically Disabled People ◽

Human Upper Limb

Wheelchair mounted upper limb exoskeletons offer an alternative way to support disabled individuals in their activities of daily living (ADL). Key challenges in exoskeleton technology include innovative mechanical design and implementation of a control method that can assure a safe and comfortable interaction between the human upper limb and exoskeleton. In this article, we present a mechanical design of a four degrees of freedom (DOF) wheelchair mounted upper limb exoskeleton. The design takes advantage of non-backdrivable mechanism that can hold the output position without energy consumption and provide assistance to the completely paralyzed users. Moreover, a PD-based trajectory tracking control is implemented to enhance the performance of human exoskeleton system for two different tasks. Preliminary results are provided to show the effectiveness and reliability of using the proposed design for physically disabled people.

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Parental perspective: The role of prostheses and prosthetics services in adjusting to a child’s upper limb difference

Technology and Disability ◽

10.3233/tad-200300 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Tara Sims

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Peer Support ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Family Members ◽

Parental Adjustment ◽

Prosthetic Devices ◽

The Family ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: The impact of paediatric upper limb difference may extend beyond the child themselves to their parents and other family members. Previous research has found that feelings of shock, numbness and loss are common amongst parents and that peer support can be a buffer against stress. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of children with limb difference, and the role of services and prosthetic devices in these experiences. METHODS: Nine parents of children with limb difference participated in either a group (n= 2) or individual (n= 7) interview. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes – ‘grief and guilt’, ‘prosthesis as a tool for parental adjustment’, ‘support’ and ‘fun and humour’. CONCLUSIONS: Parents may employ coping strategies to help them adjust to their child’s limb difference, including use of a prosthesis, accessing support from statutory services and peers, and use of fun and humour within the family.

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