Functional evaluation of a real-time EMG controlled prosthetic hand

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Neuroprosthetics

Background:

• Electromyogram (EMG)-controlled prosthetic hands have advanced, yet often fail to replicate human hand functionality and controllability.
• Evaluating functional characteristics and incorporating end-user feedback are crucial for assessing prosthetic hand performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To unfold the functional characteristics of an EMG-controlled prosthetic hand named ENRICH.
• To evaluate ENRICH's performance against existing laboratory prototypes and commercial variants.

Main Methods:

• ENRICH was assessed for size, weight, operation time, weight lifting capacity, range of motion, control strategy, degrees of freedom, and grasp force.
• Clinical testing included the box and block test and pick and place test to evaluate functionality and controllability.

Main Results:

• ENRICH grasps objects in 250.81.1 ms, meeting human neuromuscular constraints.
• Comparative evaluation against 26 prototypes and 10 commercial variants demonstrated ENRICH's capabilities.

Conclusions:

• ENRICH exhibits significant potential for restoring hand function in amputees.
• The developed prosthetic hand may enhance the quality of life for individuals with hand loss.