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Forced Based Prosthesis Controller

Weekly Meeting 1 (11/01/18)

Posted by on Thursday, November 1, 2018 in Notebook.

  • Documentation
    • Look into the verification and DHF and DSF files and what are the requirements from the Vanderbilt University requirements
  • Overview of project:
    • Two types of prostheses: body powered (functional and durable but don’t look like a hand and hard to perform complex motions) and myoelectric
    • Myoelectrics: single range of motion, mechanics of the hand are restrained by power conservation
      • Only move when people are contracting muscle — motor stops moving when stop contracting
      • Higher emg signals = faster velocity, zero contraction = zero velocity
      • Motor only runs when there is a go signal
    • Case lab: uses electrodes placed on muscles
      • Now interested in studying complexity of transformation in a more naturalistic way
      • Physiologically, we only apply amount of force needed to hold/ lift object
      • Want prosthetic to function like a hand — have to maintain contraction to keep hold of the object
      • EMG electrodes in socket — we should use surface ones
    • Project goal
      • Need a control adapter to take EMG signals and convert them into commands
        • Need to keep contracting muscle to keep hand closed
        • Merge existing transform into force transform
      • Biomimetic: amputees have to learn the process of force based control
      • Relate contraction to posture
        • More contraction = more closed
        • Can use our hands as model
      • Will have to create a new kind of go signal
    • Components
      • Acquiring the EMG signals (interfacing)
        • Override current electrodes
      • Algorithm to convert to force
      • Send the signal back
    • Resources — she’s making a list of relevant literature
      • She wants to see a Gantt chart
      • She sent us the documentation for the hand
  • Logistics
    • Weekly check-in time
      • Tuesdays at 11
        • We should send a google invite
    • Shipping
      • Can probably ship by end of next week
    • Prosthesis
      • Hasn’t been used, so not sure if works
      • Comes with socket
      • If doesn’t work, has another hand just not another socket
      • Doesn’t come with charger, so need to acquire one (probably regular 6 V charger)
      • Might want to purchase EMG surface electrodes
    • Send to her
      • Summary of design process
      • Shipping Address
      • Google calendar invite
  • Action Items
    • Send Google Calendar Invite for weekly meeting to sponsor – Christian
    • Send Shipping Address to sponsor for Prosthesis – Christian
    • Send Design Process – Christian/Shaan
    • Inquire about purchasing Electrodes – Ally
    • Lit Review – Everyone
      • Myoelectric Prostheses
        • Motor Control
      • Hand Posture vs. Muscle Activation
      • Embedded Systems
      • Algorithms
    • Gantt Chart – Kaitlyn
    • Update E-notebook – Rebecca