Prosthetic Sensor Assembly with Movable Support for Muscle Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic control systems for amputees lack reliability in translating user inputs into intended movements due to insufficient data capture and sub-optimal sensor positioning, making it difficult to achieve accurate and responsive prosthetic control.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with multiple sensors, including EMG, IMU, and magnetic sensors, is designed to capture various input signals from muscle activity, allowing for improved data collection and translation into prosthetic movements through a controller that uses arbitration techniques to select, combine, or ignore input signals, and is configured to move relative to the user's muscle activity for optimal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to capture various input signals from muscle activity, then the reliability and accuracy of translating patient input into prosthetic movements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple different sensor types (EMG, IMU, magnetic sensors) into a single integrated sensor assembly that attaches to the user's limb. This merging approach allows simultaneous capture of multiple signal types (electrical, mechanical, magnetic) from muscle activity, improving reliability while managing complexity through unified housing and shared support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can detect multiple types of muscle activity signals through different sensor modalities. The same physical assembly serves multiple detection purposes (electrical signals via EMG, mechanical movement via IMU, magnetic field changes via magnetic sensors), making it universally applicable for comprehensive muscle activity monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If the support is moveably connected to allow movement relative to the housing, then the sensor contact with muscle activity is optimized, but the device stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with movable connections that allow dynamic adjustment relative to the housing. This enables the sensor assembly to adapt its position and orientation in response to muscle movement and deformation, maintaining optimal contact with the muscle activity being measured while the housing remains relatively stable for attachment to the prosthetic device.
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 sensor assembly enhances the reliability and accuracy of translating patient input into prosthetic movements by providing multiple dimensions of data capture, increasing the opportunity for useful input and improving prosthetic control responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensors that respond to muscle activation, such as a sensor that is sensitive to force, distance/displacement, potential difference (e.g., voltage), vibrations
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of sensors may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an electromyography (EMG) sensor, a microphone, a voltage sensor, a displacement or distance sensor, a force sensitive resistor reading force caused by the displacement of muscle tissue, and/or a magnetic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly for a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) may include a housing and a support. The housing may be attached with the POD. The support may be moveably connected with the housing such that the support may move relative to the housing. The support may form an enclosure with the housing. Within the enclosure, the sensor assembly may include one or more sensors and a circuit board. The one or more sensors may include one or more of an inertial measurement unit, an electromyography sensor, or a distance sensor such as a magnetic sensor and a magnet. The circuit board may be attached with the support and in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors. Movement of the support may cause the sensors to move which may be detected for control of the POD. The sensor assembly may be attached to an arm or other prosthetic socket for detection of natural limb movements.