Development of a Control Strategy for a Multifunctional Myoelectric Prosthesis

The number of people who have lost limbs due to amputation has increased due to various accidents and diseases. Numerous attempts have been made to provide these people with prosthetic devices. These devices are often controlled using myoelectric signals. Although the success of fitting myoelectric signals (EMG) for single device control is apparent, extension of this control to more than one device has been difficult. The lack of success can be attributed to inadequate multifunctional control strategies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop multifunctional myoelectric control strategies that can generate a number of output control signals. We demonstrated the feasibility of a neural network classification control method that could generate 12 functions using three EMG channels. The results of evaluating this control strategy suggested that the neural network pattern classification method could be a potential control method to support reliability and convenience in operation. In order to make this artificial neural network control technique a successful control scheme for each amputee who may have different conditions, more investigation of a careful selection of the number of EMG channels, pre-determined contractile motions, and feature values that are estimated from the EMG signals is needed.