Implantable Myoelectric Sensors (IMES)

We are developing a multi-channel/multifunction prosthetic hand/arm controller system capable of receiving and processing signals from up to sixteen Implanted MyoElectric Sensors (IMES). The appeal of implanted sensors for myoelectric control is that EMG signals can be measured at their source providing relatively cross-talk free signals that can be treated as independent control sites. Therefore the number of degrees-of-freedom that can be simultaneously controlled and coordinated in an externally-powered prosthesis will be greater than with surface EMG or mechanical control sites. To explore the issue of intra-muscular signal independence and the ability to control them, human subject experiments have been performed in which intra-muscular EMGs were obtained. Choice of muscles was based on a desire to be able to independently control a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) wrist, and 3 DOF prosthetic hand. This paper provide our result so far.