Improving the Performance, Robustness and Reliability of Myoelectric Control

肢体的丧失或先天性缺失是一种重大残疾，会对截肢者的生活产生相当大的生理和心理影响。据估计，全球有300多万上肢截肢者，发病率稳步增长。尤其是失去上肢，会极大地影响一个人的独立和自尊水平，并导致颈部、肩部和背部的过度使用损伤。尽管上肢假肢已经有了很大的发展，但自20世纪60年代以来，控制它们的方法几乎没有改变。这些设备使用肌电图（残肢肌肉收缩时产生的电信号）来确定使用者的意图。这种方法被称为肌电控制，具有功能性和非侵入性，但商业上可用的系统提供有限的控制，并且可能不直观。最近，在肌电控制方面的重大进展已经在文献中显示出来。基于模式的方法已经显示出能够更直观地控制更多的运动，但鲁棒性仍然是一个问题。我们最近的工作强调了通过算法改进和更好地理解混杂因素大大提高这些系统可靠性的可能性。此外，我们还发现了构成标准设计方法基础的假设中的缺陷。本研究的目的是将这些发现应用于信号处理和系统设计的新方法，以及新的压力传感技术，以改善上肢假肢的控制、性能和可靠性，以及人机界面。

The loss or congenital absence of a limb is a major disability that can have considerable physical and psychological impact on the life of an amputee. It is estimated that there are more than 3 million upper limb amputees globally, with the rate of incidence growing steadily. The loss of an upper limb, in particular, can greatly affect an individual’s level of independence and self-esteem, as well as lead to overuse injuries of the neck, shoulders and back. Although upper limb prostheses have evolved considerably, the method of controlling them has changed little since the 1960s. These devices use the electromyogram (electrical signals generated while contracting muscles of the residual limb) to determine the intent of the user. Termed myoelectric control, this approach is functional and non-invasive, but commercially available systems provide limited control and can be unintuitive. Recently, significant advances in myoelectric control have been shown in the literature. Pattern-based approaches have shown the ability to control more motions, more intuitively, but robustness remains a concern. Our recent work has highlighted possibilities for greatly improving the reliability of these systems through algorithmic improvements and better understanding of confounding factors. Furthermore, we have identified flaws in the assumptions that form the basis of the standard design approach. The objective of this research is to apply these findings, using novel approaches in signal processing and system design, and novel pressure sensing technology to improve the control, performance and reliability of upper limb prosthetics, and human-machine interfaces in general.