Optimization of electrode placement in electromyographic control of dielectric elastomers

Scott H. Walbran; Emilio P. Calius; G. Reg Dunlop; Iain A. Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.815833

6 April 2009 Optimization of electrode placement in electromyographic control of dielectric elastomers

Scott H. Walbran, Emilio P. Calius, G. Reg Dunlop, Iain A. Anderson

Proceedings Volume 7287, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2009; 728724 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815833
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Human intention recognition is becoming a key part of powered prosthetics research. With the advent of smart materials, the usefulness of powered prosthetics has increased. Correspondingly, there is a greater need for control technology. Electromyography (EMG) has previously been used to control myoelectric hands; however the approach to electrode placement has been speculative at best. Carpi, Raspopovic and De Rossi have shown that dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) can be controlled by a variety of human electrophysiological signals, including EMG. To control a DEA device with multiple degrees of freedom using EMG, multiple electrode sites are required. This paper presents an approach to control an array of DEAs using a series of electrodes and an optimized electrode data filtering scheme to maximize classification accuracy when differentiating between hand grasps. A silicon mould of a human forearm was created with an array of electrodes embedded within it. Data from each electrode site was recorded using the Universal Electrophysiological Mapping (UnEmap) system developed at the University of Auckland Bioengineering Institute for the amplification and filtering of multiple biopotential signals. The recorded data was then processed off-line, in order to calculate spatial gradients; this would determine which electrode sites would give the best bipolar readings. The spatial gradients were then compared to each other in order to find the optimal electrode sites. Several points in the extensor compartment of the forearm were found to be useful in recognizing grasping, while several points in the flexor compartment of the forearm were found to be useful in differentiating between grasps.

Citation Download Citation

Scott H. Walbran, Emilio P. Calius, G. Reg Dunlop, and Iain A. Anderson "Optimization of electrode placement in electromyographic control of dielectric elastomers", Proc. SPIE 7287, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2009, 728724 (6 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815833

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available