Embedded Gel Liner Electrodes for Myoelectric Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional myoelectric prostheses require physical contact between electrodes and the skin, which can lead to discomfort and loss of contact during activities, and involve cumbersome wire harnesses that are prone to breakage and deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A gel liner with embedded conductive fabric electrodes and leads that detect electromyographic signals, eliminating the need for external wires and providing a comfortable, robust, and easy-to-use myoelectric control system by integrating electrodes and leads within the liner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional gel liners are used without embedded electrodes, then comfort and suspension are provided, but myoelectric control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gel liner and electrode assembly into a single integrated unit. The conductive fabric electrodes are embedded within the gel liner material, combining the cushioning/suspension function of the gel liner with the signal detection function of the electrodes. This eliminates the need for separate electrode application and wire harnessing, providing both comfort and myoelectric control capability simultaneously.
2Reliability
If external wire harnesses are used to connect electrodes, then signal transmission is achieved, but device complexity and susceptibility to breakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wire harness from the system by embedding conductive pathways directly into the gel liner material. The gel liner itself serves as the transmission medium, eliminating the need for separate external wires. This reduces device complexity while maintaining signal transmission reliability through the integrated conductive fabric embedded in the liner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining conductive fabric with gel liner material. The conductive fabric is embedded within the gel liner to create a composite structure that provides both mechanical cushioning and electrical conductivity in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate wire harnesses.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are applied to skin surface, then myoelectric signal detection is achieved, but contact loss during activities occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrode support function with the gel liner material itself. The gel liner provides both the cushioning interface and the structural support for the conductive fabric electrodes, ensuring consistent contact with the residual limb during activities. This integrated design prevents contact loss while maintaining signal detection accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances comfort and suspension while maintaining effective myoelectric control, reducing noise and structural fatigue, allowing for efficient and cost-effective acquisition of EMG signal data without external wires, and simplifying the fitting process.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode poles can be configured to contact the residual limb when the gel liner is worn over the residual limb. The electrode poles can be configured to detect electromyographic signals
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provides myoelectric prosthesis control system that include a gel liner that has a plurality of layers and a plurality of leads at least partially positioned between the plurality of layers. In addition, a plurality of electrodes can be coupled to the leads and portions of the electrodes can also be positioned between the plurality of layers. At least some of the electrodes can include an electrode pole that is configured to contract the residual limb to detect electromyographic signals.