Design and implementation of a multifunctional myoelectric control for upper limb prostheses

Abstract

The myoelectric control of upper limb prostheses from surface EMG signals is characterized by the ease of data collection and by being non-invasive. Multiple functions of a prosthesis can be activated from the signals generated by a voluntary muscle contraction. In this work, we present a system that activates four functions of a hand prosthesis with two EMG channels by means of a command strategy based on the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Experiments were performed on five healthy subjects and one amputee to evaluate the feasibility of this strategy. The results showed a fluid and intuitive strategy, justified by an accurate performance of the subjects controlling the prosthetic functions.