Feasibility of controlling prosthetic hand using sonomyography signal in real time: Preliminary study

Abstract

Abstract-The morphological changes of muscle can be accurately detected by sonography, a process we have termed sonomyography (SMG). This article investigates the feasibility of using muscle thickness deformation SMG as a new signal source to control a prosthetic hand in real time. Thickness deformation SMG of the extensor muscle was measured by a block-matching algorithm during wrist extension-flexion; the amplitude of the deformation was used to control the prosthetic hand. We compared various fast-search algorithms to select the best one for real-time prosthetic control. The two-dimensional logarithmic search (TDL) algorithm, with and without streaming singleinstruction multiple-data extensions, showed excellent execution efficiency, with an overall mean correlation coefficient of about 0.99, a mean standard root-mean-square error <0.75, and a mean relative root-mean-square error <8.0% referenced to the crosscorrelation algorithm baseline. The mean frame rates were greater than the ultrasound sampling rate (12 Hz), indicating that TDL could be implemented in real-time control. These results demonstrate that only one muscle position is needed to control a prosthetic hand, allowing for proprioception of muscle tension, and that the SMG provides good control of the prosthetic hand, allowing it to proportionally open and close with a fast-search algorithm.

Mechanomyography Sensor Development, Related Signal Processing, and Applications: A Systematic Review

“…Out of these papers, we classified the articles into three folds (15), subdivided into: (i) sensor development (5), (ii) sensor effects on MMG (5) and (iii) sensor comparison for MMG assessment (5). II) MMG signal processing (8).…”

“…Therefore, a proper diagnosis is essential in order to identify and treat these muscle disorders. Consequently, many researchers have continued to explore suitable techniques, which include electromyogram (EMG) [1], [2], myokinetic (MK) therapy [3], sonomyogram (SMG) [4], [5], tensiomyogram (TMG) [6], [7], and mechanomyogram (MMG) [8], [9].…”

Monitoring Changes of the Tibialis Anterior during Dorsiflexion with Electromyography, Sonomyography, Dynamometry and Kinematic Signals

“…The use of this synchronised recording method may be extended to diagnosis and to evaluation of therapies (7,(20)(21)(22)(23).…”

Control interfaces to actively support the arm function of men with Duchenn Muscular Dystrophy

“…Recent studies propose the use of ultrasound scanners [82,83,84,166] to measure changes in muscle thickness for the control of prosthetic devices. This method is known as sonomyography (SMG).…”

“…A recent study by Gonzalez and Castellini [84] shows that a linear relationship also exists between specific image features and fingertip forces. Furthermore the study by Shi et al [166] shows that SMG can be implemented in real-time using a two-dimensional logarithmic search algorithm. While it has been demonstrated that SMG could be potentially used for the control of active prosthetic devices, the current system used for the SMG measurements (i.e., standard ultrasound scanner) is not suitable for practical implementation because it is expensive and cumbersome [83].…”