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Assessment of Finger Forces and Wrist Torques for Functional Grasp Using New Multichannel Textile Neuroprostheses
Author(s) -
Lawrence Marc,
Gross GionPitschen,
Lang Martin,
Kuhn Andreas,
Keller Thierry,
Morari Manfred
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2008.00614.x
Subject(s) - wrist , grasp , neuroprosthetics , torque , forearm , computer science , biomedical engineering , isometric exercise , simulation , engineering , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , medicine , physics , physical therapy , thermodynamics , programming language
New multichannel textile neuroprotheses were developed, which comprise multiple sets of transcutaneous electrode arrays and connecting wires embroidered into a fabric layer. The electrode arrays were placed on the forearm above the extrinsic finger flexors and extensors. Activation regions for selective finger flexion and wrist extension were configured by switching a subset of the array elements between cathode, anode, and off states. We present a new isometric measurement system for the assessment of finger forces and wrist torques generated using the new neuroprostheses. Finger forces (from the middle phalanxes) were recorded using five load cells mounted on a “grasp handle” that can be arbitrarily positioned in space. The hand and the grasp handle were rigidly mounted to a 6‐degree of freedom load cell, and the forces and torques about the wrist were recorded. A vacuum cushion was used to comfortably fixate the forearm. The position and orientation of the forearm, wrist, fingers, and handle were recorded using a new three‐dimensional position measurement system (accuracy <±1 mm). The measurement system was integrated into the real‐time multichannel transcutaneous electrode environment, which is able to control the spatiotemporal position of multiple activation regions. Using the combined system and textile neuroprosthesis, we were able to optimize the activation regions to produce selective finger and wrist articulation, enabling improved functional grasp.