Design and Working of Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm

  Rutvij B. Mavani,  Dharmik H. Rank,  Helina N. Sheth

Physical impairment can limit the physical function or fine/gross motor ability of limbs of an individual. Such individual then can be called as a handicap. In cases of individuals with loss of limbs and next to nothing residual capacity, it is very difficult for them to associate with daily activities as well as employment, education, independent living, etc. This paper will depict the information relating the substitution of the upper limb of an amputee by Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm. Prosthesis is a part of Rehabilitation Engineering which means, the reintegration of an individual with impairments into society. The primary purpose of an arm prosthesis is to mimic the appearance and replace the function of a missing limb. It requires effective usage of assistive systems to restore the motor functions of an amputee and also it should be cosmetically appealing. These requirements and advances in science and technology have led to development of externally powered prosthesis that interface directly with the neuromuscular system and recreate some of a normal hand’s sophisticated proprioceptive control. This concept of extended physiologic proprioception (EPP) is introduced for the control of gross arm movement whereby the central nervous system is retrained through residual proprioception to coordinate gross actions applying to the geometry of the new extended limb. This device known as Myoelectric Arm is based on biological electronic sensors, is battery operated, controlled by microprocessor and driven by motors. Once it is attached, the prosthetic uses electronic sensors to detect minute muscle, nerve, and EMG activity. It then translates this muscle activity as triggered by the user into information via microcontroller and filtering circuit, which its electric motors use to control the artificial limbs movements via motor driver IC. The end result is that the artificial limb moves much like a natural limb, according the mental stimulus of the user. The Myoelectric artificial limb does not require any unwieldy straps or harnesses to function. Instead, it is custom made to fit and attach to the remaining limb. Myoelectric hand/arm component perform better than conventional prosthesis in terms of function, weight, comfort and cosmetics.

Keywords- Rehabilitation, Prosthesis, EMG, Myoelectric Arm

Unique Identification Number - IJEDR1403083
Page Number(s) - 3324-3333
Pubished in - Volume 2 | Issue 3 | Sept 2014
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) -   
Publisher - IJEDR (ISSN - 2321-9939)

  Rutvij B. Mavani,  Dharmik H. Rank,  Helina N. Sheth,   "Design and Working of Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm", International Journal of Engineering Development and Research (IJEDR), ISSN:2321-9939, Volume.2, Issue 3, pp.3324-3333, Sept 2014, Available at :http://www.ijedr.org/papers/IJEDR1403083.pdf