Browsing by Author "Caldwell, R."

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    An Investigation Into The Effectiveness Of Fitting Powered Upper Limb Prostheses: "The UNB Experience"
    (1997) Biden, E. N.; Caldwell, R.; Leckey, R. J.; Stocker, D.; Lovely, D. F.
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    Control Of Powered Prosthetics Using Bend-Enhanced Fibre Optic Sensors
    (1993) Lovely, D. F.; Hudgins, B.; Danisch, L.; Caldwell, R.; Daly, J. A.; Biden, E.
    Powered prosthetics have bezome the accepted method of replacing litnb function lost by traumatic or congenital amputations. The control of these devices is accomplished by either mechanical switches or by switches based on the kvel of myoelectric activity, Although both approaches provide excellent solutions, there are problems inherent with mechanical and myoeletric control (MEC). Because the mechanical switches used in the prosthetic industry must be small, they lack durability and often fail. For myoelectrically controlled systems a total contact socket is required to minimise the effects of motion artifact and to allow continuous detection of the myoelectric signal (MES) This is often difficult to obtain and leads to signal contamination by 60 Hz interference. Furthermore, perspiration disrupts normal myoelectric signal detection leading to a loss of control To overcome these problems the Institute of Biomedical Engineering has begun to investiga the use of a bend-enhanced fibre (BEF) optical sensor to construct an in-socket transducer for prosthetic control.
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    Design Of A Prosthetic Elbow For Elbow Disarticulation Amputations
    (1993) Hughes, G.; Biden, E.; Olive, M.; Young, W.; Wedderburn, Z.; Caldwell, R.; Stocker, D.
    Long above elbow and elbow disarticulation amputations pose a problem in fitting as the residual limb is nearly the same length as the upper arm on the sound side. Although these problems have been recognized for some time, no currently available elbows offer a complete solution. Conventional fittings, whether they einploy an elbow system attached to the end of the socket or use outside hinges, either make the limb geometry unnatural or restrict the ability to provide humeral rotation and a powered joint. The objective of the work described in this paper is to develop prosthetic elbowsfor long above elbow amputations which do not have these limitations Our work, as described here, has focused on multi-link mechanisms much as are used for knee disarticulation prostheses. The additional challenge in the upper limb case is to provide active locking of the joint, which is not usually a re,quirement other than at full extension for the knee, and to provide for powered operation.