Rethinking the Design of Embedded Control Circuit for 4 DOF Bilateral Arm Prosthesis

Abstract

Prosthetics has always been an area of interest for the researchers due to its rewarding outcomes for the amputees. The solutions are still under experimentation so that the dexterity could be improved, the efficiency could be increased and the price of prosthetics could be decreased. The prosthetic control of upper limb is quite effective in myoelectric category. The electromyographic (EMG) signals can easily be processed for movement of prosthetic upper limb. The work is done in myoelectric domain with embedded design of control circuit. The EMG signals from residual muscles are acquired using disposable electrodes and these signals are then fed into the amplifier. After amplification, controller differentiates between the signals for operating end motors resulting in prosthetic arm movements. With the simplified circuit consisting of minimum electronic components and smaller size, two degrees of freedom can also be effortlessly employed instead of four degrees of freedom which is sufficient for an amputee to do daily chores.