Prosthetic Control Unit for Autonomous Multi-Step Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current myoelectric control methods for advanced prostheses are cumbersome and require significant user involvement, lacking sensory feedback, which complicates controlling complex devices with multiple degrees of freedom, such as modern hand prostheses that require sequential control of grasp types and joint adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that integrates 3D sensing, augmented reality, and inertial sensing to autonomously perform multiple control actions, providing enriched sensory feedback to the user, allowing for simultaneous or sequential automatic movement of prosthetic limbs, and reducing user cognitive burden by closing the control loop with visual and tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If myoelectric control is used for controlling advanced prostheses with multiple degrees of freedom, then the prosthesis can perform complex movements, but the user involvement and control complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit autonomously determines sequences of control actions based on EMG signals and task context, performing complex movements without requiring the user to explicitly control each degree of freedom. The system serves itself by automatically planning and executing multi-step movement sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensory feedback from the prosthesis and environmental interaction to continuously adjust control sequences. EMG signals provide feedback on user intention, while task execution feedback enables dynamic re-planning of control action sequences to achieve desired outcomes.
2Measurement precision
If sequential control of grasp types and joint adjustments is implemented, then precise control is achieved, but the cognitive burden on the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-plans sequences of control actions based on initial EMG signals and predicted task requirements. By determining the complete sequence in advance, the system reduces real-time cognitive demands while maintaining precise control over multiple joints and grasp parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex movements are broken down into discrete control actions organized in sequences. Each control action targets specific degrees of freedom, allowing the system to manage complexity by processing one segmented action at a time while maintaining overall task coherence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced prostheses with multiple degrees of freedom are designed, then functional versatility is improved, but the difficulty of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions by simultaneously managing EMG signal processing, control sequence generation, task planning, and coordination of multiple degrees of freedom. This universal controller simplifies the interface while handling the complexity of advanced prosthesis operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adapts the sequence of control actions based on real-time EMG signals, task progress, and environmental feedback. This dynamic re-planning capability allows the prosthesis to maintain versatility while adjusting control difficulty to match current task requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to the area of control of a limb device in the form of an artificial limb for a human or a robot limb. In particular, the invention is related to a control unit for electrically controlling an electrically controllable limb device, the limb device comprising a plurality of actuators, the control unit comprising a first interface for connecting the control unit to the limb device, the control unit comprising a second interface for connecting the control unit to a data gathering device comprising one or more sensing devices, the control unit comprising a processing unit which is arranged for controlling the limb device at least based on data gathered by the data gathering device, wherein the control unit is arranged for outputting one single control action step to the actuators of the limb device calculated by the processing unit based on a first data or data combination received from the data gathering device, and the control unit is arranged for outputting a plurality of control action steps to the actuators of the limb device calculated by the processing unit based on a second data or data combination received from the data gathering device, the second data or data combination being different from the first data or data combination, the plurality of control action steps inducing a more complex automatic movement of the limb device that the one single control action step. The invention further refers to a system comprising such a control unit, a method for controlling an electrically controllable limb device and a computer program.