title: A new biomechanical hand prosthesis controlled by surface electromyographic signals.
abstract: This paper describes the development of a low-cost hand prosthesis for use in patients with an amputated hand due to congenital problems or to trauma wound, who possess a part or the forearm endowed with muscular activity. The paper covers the constructive aspects of both mechanical and electronic designs. The prototype is controlled by electromyographic signals measured at the remaining part of the injured limb of the patient. The EMG signals are measured at the surface of the skin, at a point that is close to a working muscle of the amputated arm. The prosthesis allows the patient to hold objects by means of a three finger clamp. The prosthesis presented an excellent performance in preliminary tests with an amputated patient. These tests showed that the prosthesis had a very good performance regarding force and speed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electriclal Engineering, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil 70910-900.
authors.forename: Nei A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Geovany A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: de O Nascimento
authors.forename: Alexandre R S
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Romariz
authors.forename: Adson F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: da Rocha
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005246:Feedback; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods