Prosthetic Feedback via Motor Operating Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic hands with motor-driven digit members lack effective feedback mechanisms, making it difficult for users to accurately control the force and movement of the prosthetic components, leading to inefficiencies in performing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A prosthesis or orthosis with a moveable component powered by a motor, where an electronic device determines and applies operating parameters based on a predetermined profile, allowing for real-time feedback of instantaneous operating conditions such as force, position, and movement, enabling precise control through signals from muscle activity or neural implants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If motor-driven digit members are used in prosthetic hands, then the prosthesis can perform powered movement and manipulation tasks, but the user lacks accurate feedback on force and movement, making control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including force sensors that measure the force applied by the digit member to an object, and position sensors that detect the position of the digit member. This sensory information is fed back to the user through neural interfaces or displayed to the control system, enabling the user to accurately control force and movement of the powered digit members.
2Ease of operation
If real-time feedback mechanisms are added to provide force and position information, then control accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified components. The electronic device performs multiple tasks including determining motor operating parameters, determining instantaneous operating conditions of the digit member, controlling motor operation, and providing feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining control accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and electronic devices are integrated to determine operating conditions, then measurement precision improves, but the prosthesis becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force sensors, position sensors, and electronic control devices into an integrated system where the electronic device performs multiple determination functions. The force sensor and position sensor data are processed together with motor operating parameters to comprehensively determine the instantaneous operating condition of the digit member, achieving high measurement precision through data fusion rather than through multiple separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthesis or an orthosis and method of operating the same. The prosthesis or orthosis comprising a moveable component, a motor operable to move the component, wherein the motor has at least one operating parameter, the application of which to the motor results in the component having at least one operating condition; and an electronic device operable to: determine at least one operating parameter of the motor and determine at least one instantaneous operating condition of the component from a predetermined operating profile of the motor and component and the determined at least one operating parameter of the motor, the predetermined operating profile of the motor and component being based on one or more operating parameter inputs to the motor and one or more resulting operating condition outputs of the component.