Electromyography and elastography investigation of arm and trunk muscles

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Our research program is oriented toward the study of how upper limb and back muscles are activated. Interest in the arm's muscles derives from the challenge facing many persons when they lose one arm and sometimes both of them. During an amputation, muscles are tied around the end of the stump. They can still be contracted but no useful movement is produced. However, with the electromyographic (EMG) signal at the origin of the contraction, a myoelectric prosthesis can be activated. Amputation often leaves only a short or no forearm and the few but voluminous muscles of the upper arm become the best candidates as control sites. Our research consists at developing ways by which many surface control sites could be identified from these voluminous muscles by using surface electrodes arrays and elastography maps derived from ultrasound (US) signals. By facilitating the operation of multifunctional prostheses, our research could contribute to the improvement of the personal and professional life of many upper limb amputees.