MEC Symposium Conference Proceedings
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Since 1972, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick has been hosting the MEC Symposium in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Since 2002, the Symposium occurs tri-annually, incorporating all aspects of powered upper limb prosthetics. The Symposium is immediately preceded by courses and workshops geared toward clinicians.
The historical conference proceedings have been made available through the generosity of UNB and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, through a partnership with Duke University and the Open Prosthetics Project, where a list of proceedings from MEC '02, MEC '05 and MEC '08 can be found.
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Item Open Access Myoelectric Control Of Prostheses: A Brief History(1992) Scott, R. N.Item Open Access Item Open Access Learning To Use A Prosthesis(1992) Stocker, DinahItem Open Access An Adaptive Multifunction Myoelectric Control System(1992) Hudgins, BernardItem Open Access Current UNB Projects(1992)Item Open Access Reducing The Houston Flexible Wrist To Practice(1993) Williams, T. Walley III.In another paper Rosa Jacobs will describe the Houston Flexible Wrist and its successful use on a nurnber of children and adults. Reported here is the method followed for generating a production version of this wrist and the several products that are now available. Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a typical wrist fit to a user in the Houston trials. The ball element is more accurately desaibed as a knob since there was no attempt to achieve true ball and socket fit. Rather contact between the knob and the edge of the hole in the lamination element tended toward a line contact Both elements were aluminum and the contact generated considerable wear and friction. The most important element in the wrist after the ball and socket is the cornpression pad assembly. As the hand moves with respect to the forearm, the pads are both compressed and stretched, There is a considerable absorption of energy since they are made of Poron foam; however, they do bring the wrist back to neutral whenever a deflecting torque is removed Though not shown in the drawing the glove worn with the typical hand is also part of the system tending to straighten the wrist back to neutral when it is bent.Item Open Access Toddlers And Myoelectrics -- Do They Go Together?(1993) Greshik, JackieThe purpose of our research was to evaluate the prosthetic acceptance of below elbow limb deficient toddlers. The prosthetist, occupational therpist and caregivers were found to play major roles in the success of prothetic use. Conclusions were drawn from prosthetic and occupational therapy clinical observations, the University of New Brunswick Test of Prosthetic Function and a subjective parent survey.Item Open Access Involvement Of Noise Immunity Systems Of Myoelectric Prostheses(1993) Bernstein, V. M.; Farber, B. S.Item Open Access The Liberty Myoarraytm: A Diagnostic Tool To Test And Train Amputees To Use Myoelectric Prostheses(1993) Hanson, William J.; Smits, Matthijs P.; Teare, Peter R.When fitting a patient with a myoelectric prosthetic device, a prosthetist or therapist tests the patient to determine the best location on the muscle to place the electrodes Generally, the optimal location is the one where the myoelectic signal is strongest Typically, a prosthetist attempts to determine this location through trial-and-error,. This is time-consuming and the resulting signals are often inconsistent because each contraction is different. Others have proposed or utilized multiple electrodes for monitoring muscle activity and one research study resulted in a system to facilitate muscle-site identification. These systems however, depend on repetitive or sustained muscle contractions which may introduce another variable, misleading the prosthetist In addition, these approaches take significantly longer to perform and may tire the patient. The Liberty MyoArray* has been developed to provide an easy-to-use, portable diagnostic system for quickly measuring myoelectric signals from several locations at once, over a wide muscle area It increases the likelihood of proper patient fit and control of the prosthesis. For the experienced prosthetists, it speeds the process and it allows the inexperienced prosthetists to succeed with myoelectric technology It eliminates the possibility of error caused by variation in muscle flexions and facilitates training by providing feedback while the amputee is performing controlled muscle contractions.Item Open Access Triphasic Patterns In Above-Elbow Amputees(1993) Smitts, MatthijsIn normally limbed humans, voluntaty fast elbow movements produce triphasic myoelectric activity patterns in the biceps and triceps muscles. The first phase, or burst, occurs in the agonist muscle (AG1) and represents the angular acceleration of the lower aim The second bunt occurs in the antagonist muscle (ANTI) and represents the angular deceleration of the lower arm. The third burst occurs again in the agonnt muscle (AG2), and is believed to represent a correction mechanism that moderates the braking forces and redirects movement back to the target position. Triphasic patterns have, for the most part, been found to be preprogrammed and generated by the central nervous system. This central preprogramming suggests that phasic patterns might still be observed after amputation, even though the mecharucal function of the remnant muscles is lost.Item Open Access Variable Speed Control Of Terminal Devices(1993) Dillon, SteveThe ability of the wearer to control the speed as well as the direction of an electric terminal device has been a goal of external power development since the 1940's. It would have been strange if this were not so, since the purpose of such development was to replace anatomical function, and there are no constant speed joints in the human body. By the late 1960s, electronic technology had advanced to the point that systems for below elbow amputees could be commercially developed but not to the point that variable speed control could be accomplished in the restrictive volume of the prosthetic hand. The U.S. Veterans Administration and Fidelity Electronics offered a hand system with proportional control but with the battery and circuits in the lower forearm. This system gained minimal acceptance and has been displaced by Otto Bock's modular system with the electronics in the hand and two over-the-muscle electrode-amplifiers. The simplicity of the Bock system has won in the market in spite of its constant speed motor control.Item Open Access Improvements To Variety Ability Systems Powered Upper Inc. Extremity Products For Children(1993) Mifsud, M. L.Since December 1983, when Variety Ability Systems Inc (VAST) introduced the VV26 size hand for children, clinicians who provide powered upper extremity prosthetics have been inundated with a wide variety of components for the paediatric amputee population. The availability of the componentry has led to the development of suitable controlling strategies incorporated into electronic modules within the prostheses. These strategies have drawn upon the clinical teams to re-evaluate the selection and training criterion used through-out the fitting process. The evolution in powered upper-extremity prosthetics that has occurred over the last decade has been remarkable. This paper provides an overview of the VASI products now available for the juvenile amputee and discusses recent enhancements.Item Open Access 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.Item Open Access Design Of Paediatric Frosiheses For Ihe Upper Limb(1993) Cooper, Robin A.In the last few years the provision of prostheses for paediatric an upper limb deficit has become increasingly common. However,the earliest age at which externally powered devices might be useful is still the subject of some controversy within the prosthetics field. Some developments have been based on adult equipments. Others have been specifically designed for children. In both dcaessiegsn it foisr usual to provide only one control option However, children during the early years should take particular account of development, not just the size and weight of the device, but also the grasping patterns, response speed and control system of choice.Item Open Access Myoelectric Camp: An Interdisclplinary Approach To Fitting Myoelectric Prostheses(1993) Lombardo, Janet R.The Philadelphia Unit of Shriners Hospitals has developed an interdisciplinary plan forproviding 5-10 year olds with a comprehensive introduction to myoelectric fittings. The program utilizes a summer camp format for service delivery The initial camp was conducted as part of a research study in 1984. The Philadelphia Unit investigated the viability and cost effectiveness of providing myoelectric prostheses to adolescents. Since that time, the age for fitting myoelectrics through the camp program has been progressively expanded to include children as young as five years. The primary goal of the camp is to provide the participants with a diversified, fun and fundamentally complete myoelectric experience. The Myoelectric Camp format allows therapeutic treatment of all eligible candidates in a manner which otherwise would not be possible through individual out-patient appointments in our setting.Item Open Access 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.Item Open Access Myoelectric Control Of The Muscle Electrostimulation(1993) Bernstein, V. M.; Slavutsky, J. L.; Farber, B. S.Item Open Access Provision Of Myoelectric Prosthesis For A Poland's Syndrome Patient(1993) Kingston, Janet; Roland, John; Datta, DipakItem Open Access A Balance Between Body Power And Electric Prosthesis For An Above Elbow Patient(1993) Ronald, John; Kingston, Janet; Dipak, DattaOver the period of the last four years it has been possible to monitor in greater detail a pattern ofsupply of myoelectric prosthesis to patients within the Trent Region The pattem of supply of myoelectric prosthesis has changed from being one of congenital below elbow amputations with just a few above elbow amputations. The numbers are now roughly half congemtal below elbow and half adult above elbow using different inyoelectric control systems and combination of body powered elbows to maximise efficiency of use (See Tables 1 and 2). The addition of power source to tbe patients prosthesis has never been considered in isolation, but as an integral part of the rehabilitation programme, the patient often taking manysmall steps before achieving use of a myoelectric prosthesis. The supply of prostheses in Trent Region is Private Contractors worldng along side the Consultant and Therapist who work for the National Health Service. The private contractors tender for a contract every 3 years at which time all component prices are decided together wah a maintenance cost to service limbs already supplied to clients Each Region (there are 14 In the U.K) has a yearly budget whicla is strictly adhered to Ts to our knowledge has not affected the supply of prostheses It does mean we look for good value for money.Item Open Access A System For Digital Analysis Of Electromyographic Signals(1993) Quevedo, A. A. F.; Cliquet Jr., A.The use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) in the rehabilitation of paraplegic and tetraplegic individuals has been under investigation. However, in order to use this technique beyond the laboratory, there is the need of well elaborated control strategies Among these strategies, the monitoring of myoelectric (EMG) signals seems to be very promising. A real-time system could detect and analyse the surface myoelectric signals from the musculature of the trunk and upper limbs (under volitive control by the patient), as well as detect the body movement when the patient wants to perform a step. A comparison between the intensity of the myoelectric signal and a reference threshold was tried, but it didn't yield good results. order to analyse the surface myoelectric signal more deeply in order to find control patterns for NMES control, a system for digital EMG signal analysis has been developed.