A Practical and Feasible Control System for Bifunctional Myoelectric Hand Prostheses

Abstract

This paper presents an implementation of a practical and low-cost hardware-based control system for multifunctional myoelectric hand prostheses. The model utilizes a mode-switching technique in order to voluntarily control the operation of a dual-mode prosthetic device in two degrees of freedom: grasp/release and pronation/supination. This system was designed specifically to cater to the increasing needs of patients in developing countries, where myoelectric prostheses are scarce and extremely expensive. The design relied entirely on locally-available commercial components and aimed at allowing small prosthetics producers the freedom to utilize and modify the design according to their clients' preferences and requirements. Evaluation tests revealed excellent control and ability to execute basic hand and wrist functions even with short training periods, although results varied with the underlying level of muscular activity.

Keywords: Prosthetics and orthotics in developing countries, prosthetic design, EMG, myoelectric prosthesis, myoelectric control