Abstract
The surface-detected myoelectric signal has been used for the purpose of controlling devices like a powered prosthesis. This paper describes an on-line real-time simulation system to evaluate a new method of controlling a multifunctional hand prosthesis. The system employs two computers, and classification, estimation and recognition of EMG signal are performed with minicomputer. The model of the hand prosthesis which is displayed on the monitor TV is controlled with microcomputer. From two or three EMG signals picked up from the most suitable muscles, six amplitude and frequency components are derived, then six voluntary movements are classified with theuse of pattern recognition technique based on the linear discriminant analysis method. With theuse of pattern segmentation technique, sequential control signals are obtained at a minimum of every 10 msec. after first detection and recognition of a limb movement. From the experimental results using healthy adults, recognition rate was above 90%, and nearly 100% was achieved in better cases. The prosthesis model on the monitor TV moved correctly and smoothly. Consequentlythis method proved to be effective for controlling a multifunctional hand prosthesis.
