Improving the Performance, Robustness and Reliability of Myoelectric Control

肢体的丧失或先天性缺失是一种严重的残疾，对截肢者的生活会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，发病率稳步上升。特别是上肢的丧失，会极大地影响一个人的独立性和自尊水平，并导致颈部、肩部和背部的过度使用损伤。虽然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（在收缩残肢肌肉时产生的电信号）来确定用户的意图。这种方法被称为肌电控制，是功能性的和非侵入性的，但是商业上可用的系统提供有限的控制并且可能是不直观的。** 最近，文献中已经显示了肌电控制的重大进展。基于模式的方法已经显示出更直观地控制更多运动的能力，但鲁棒性仍然是一个问题。我们最近的工作突出了通过算法改进和更好地理解混杂因素来大大提高这些系统的可靠性的可能性。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。本研究的目的是应用这些发现，使用新的方法在信号处理和系统设计，和新的压力传感技术，以提高控制，性能和可靠性的上肢假肢，和人机界面一般。

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.