Intelligent, EMG-Controlled Prosthesis Powered by a Pneumatic Actuator

12/10/2009 1:57 A.M. Purdue University's Biomedical Engineering Building

This video was taken the morning of our final senior design demonstration. Our final prototype includes a carbon fiber foot, aluminum ankle joint, titanium pyramid connectors, pressure sensors along the length of the aluminum shaft, a pneumatic actuator (latex bladder constrained by 2" expandable nylon sleeving), a microcontroller, a battery regeneration circuit and electropneumatic solenoids that allow for air intake and exhaust based on EMG signals recorded from the calf muscle. The demonstration piece was designed to allow an observer to clearly visualize the pneumatic muscle's response to electrical activity that occurs during calf muscle contractions. During our final demonstration, the compressed air lines will be replaced by a high pressure air (HPA) tank that fits easily in a backpack.

Our initial project description was to design a lower limb prosthesis that attaches directly to bone via osseointegration. We modified the project to include EMG-based intelligent actuation via a pneumatic muscle, a battery regeneration circuit that converts the mechanical energy from the exhaust air into electric current, and pressure sensors that pass a tactile signal the user via two electrodes.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• emg
• muscle
• control
• pneumatic
• actuator
• artificial
• prosthetic
• prosthesis
• senior
• design
• purdue
• biomedical
• engineering
• kid
• kangaroo
• seij
• larsen
• paul
• cunningham
• brian
• bigler
• dj
• kennedy

[OmegaXIII]

So you guy's are in college for designing prosthetics? Can anybody give me some info?

[sblarsen12]

This was our capstone senior design project for Purdue's undergraduate BME program. The prosthetic limb was one of nine different projects developed in the fall 2009 semester, each of which addressed a relevant medical problem. These included an implantable pressure sensor for glaucoma, a CPAP device for preterm infants and an implantable wireless sensor and pump for automatic blood glucose regulation, to name a few.

[OmegaXIII]

That's incredible, I've always had a deep fascination with prosthetics. I can't say I know how "practical" they're in use as far as being any more advanced than a "peg-leg" or an automatic-push-off ankle design, which is in use for soldiers who've had to get amputated legs, etc. This is pretty impressive in your video for sure, I wanted to get into this, how difficult would it be to get into a program like this and come out pedigreed?

[sblarsen12]

Thanks for the input! Injured soldiers were actually our target market for this project. Purdue's BME program is definitely challenging, but I think that's true of any engineering major. I'd highly recommend it.

[OmegaXIII]

There's been a question for YEARS I've been dying to have an answer to that's at least half-ass believable or full better yet. The Terminator movies so called "Endo-Skeleton" design, is the reason nobody's crafted any prosthesis after that is because of possible copyright infringement of any sort? I just had this idea about prosthesis, that if you were to make one, mimic the human body as anatomically correct as possible. Thanks for your time sblarsen12!!!! : ) I REALLY appreciate it all!!!!

[sblarsen12]

No problem! I'm not entirely sure about the endoskeleton design, but I'd say it's most likely a technology limitation rather than a copyright infringement. Just my two cents.

[Kari166]

I know this sounds like a dumb question... but, do you have to know a lot of... (oh, God) MATH... in order to design/build prothetics?

(I hate that word... SO MUCH) XD

[russiaCANT]

you guys need to raise the patella height and laterally rotate the patella 5 degrees. itll make it more natural

[bishopdante]

wow it actually makes the same sound as robocop! amazing

[MusicalProspector]

he's jake the peg de'dl'e'dl'um with his extra leg de'dl'e'dl'um