Feasibility of Using Neuro-Fuzzy Subject-Specific Models for Functional Electrical Stimulation Induced Hand Movements

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a technique that artificially elicits muscle contractions and it is used to restore motor/sensory functions in both assistive and therapeutic applications. The use of multi-field surface electrodes is a novel popular approach in transcutaneous FES applications. Lately, hybrid systems that combine artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic have also been proposed for many applications in different areas. This paper presents the possibility of combining both approaches for obtaining subject-specific models of FES induced hand movements for grasping applications. Data of the hand and finger motion from two subjects affected by acquired brain injury were used to train two different approaches: coactive neuro-fuzzy inference system and recurrent fuzzy neural network. Preliminary results show that these approaches can be considered in modelling applications for their ability to learn and predict main characteristics of the system, as well as providing useful information from the original system that could be interpreted as subject-specific knowledge

Electromyogram Interference Reduction In Neural Signal Recording Using Simple RC Compensation Circuits

Neuroprosthesis can partially restore lost motor functionalities of individuals such as bladder voiding using functional electrical stimulation (FES) techniques. FES involves applying pattern of electrical current pulses using implanted electrodes to trigger affected nerves that are damaged due to paralysis. A neural signal recorded using tripolar cuff electrodes is significantly contaminated due to the presence of EMG interference from the surrounding muscles. Conventional neural amplifiers are unable to remove such interferences and modifications to the design are required. The modification to the design of the Quasi-tripole (QT) amplifier is considered in this work to minimise the EMG interferences from neural signal recording. The analogy between this modified version of QT known as mQT and Wheatstone bridge claims to neutralise the EMG interference by adding compensation circuit to either end of the outer electrodes of the tripolar cuff and therefore balancing the bridge. In this work, we present simple 3 and 2 stage RC compensation circuits to minimise EMG interference in trying to balance the bridge in the neural frequency band of interest (500-10kHz). It is shown that simple RC compensation circuit in series reduces EMG interference only at the spot frequency rather than linearly in the entire frequency band of interest. However, two and three stages RC ladder compensation circuits mimicking electrode-electrolyte interface, can minimize the EMG interference linearly in the entire frequency band of interest, without requiring any readjustment to their components. The aim is to minimise EMG interference as close to null as possible. Invitro testing of about 20% imbalanced cuff electrode with proposed 3 and 2 stage RC ladder compensation circuits resulted in linear EMG interference reduction atleast by a factor of 6. On an average, this yielded an improvement of above 80% EMG minimisation, in contrast to above 90% observed in the optimisation results, when 1Ω transimpedance (EMG) was introduced into the setup. Further improvements to the setup and design can give more promising results in reliable neural signal recording for FES applications

Activity testing model for automatic correction of hand pointing

National Natural Science Foundation of China (61173116), the National Science and Technology Pillar Program of China (2015BAF10B01), and the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (14JC1402203)

An EMG Keyboard for Forearm Amputees

A high-efficiency, easy-to-use input device is not only important for data entry but also for human-computer interaction. To date, there has been little research on input devices with many degrees of freedom (DOF) that can be used by the handicapped. This paper presents the development of an electromyography (EMG)-based input device for forearm amputees. To overcome the difficulties in analysing EMG and realising high DOF from biosignals, the following were integrated: (1) an online learning method to cope with nonlinearity and the individual difference of EMG signals; (2) a smoothing algorithm to deal with noisy recognition results and transition states; and (3) a modified Huffman coding algorithm to generate the optimal code, taking expected error and input efficiency into consideration. Experiments showed the validity of the system and the possibility for development of a quiet, free-posture (no postural restriction) input device with many DOF for users, including forearm amputees

Detection of gait events using a gyroscope sensor in FES drop-foot correction

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Multifingered robot hand robot operates using teleoperation

The purpose of research on anthropomorphic dextrous manipulation is to develop anthropomorphic dextrous robot hand which approximates the versatility and sensitivity of the human hand by teleoperation methods that will communicate in master– slave manners. Glove operates as master part and multi-fingered hand as slave. The communication medium between operator and multi-fingered hand is via KC-21 Bluetooth wireless modules. Multi-fingered hand developed using 5 volt, 298:1 gear ratio micro metal dc motors which controlled using L293D motor drivers and actuator controlled the movement of robot hand combined with dextrous human ability by PIC18F4520 microcontroller. The slave components of 5 fingers designed with 15 Degree of Freedom (DOF) by 3 DOF for each finger. Fingers design, by modified IGUS 07-16-038-0 enclosed zipper lead E-Chain® Cable Carrier System, used in order to shape mimic as human size. FLEX sensor, bend sensing resistance used for both master and slave part and attached as feedback to the system, in order to control position configuration. Finally, the intelligence, learning and experience aspects of the human can be combined with the strength, endurance and speed of the robot in order to generate proper output of this project

Walking aids for stroke patients

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN024350 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo