Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs) for Surface Myoelectric Control of a Novel Powered Finger Partial Hand Prosthesis

Abstract

This proposal aligns with the specific PRORP Focus Area of Retention Strategies, with a specific focus on Return to Duty. The proposed research will facilitate return to duty for combat-related musculoskeletal injuries through development of a novel powered prosthetic Finger (PPF) control strategy and PPF system for persons with partial hand amputations. Partial hand loss comprises the largest population of individuals with upper limb loss in the United States. Traumatic finger amputations represent more than 90 percent of all amputations in the US, with an incidence of 45,000/year. Reductions in function secondary to amputation negatively impacts a person's independence in performing normal activities of daily living (ADLs), and is often associated with debilitating neuroma and/or phantom limb pain (PLP), depression, anxiety, and an overall decreased quality of life. Existing powered-prosthetic finger options for persons with partial hand amputations are few and prone to breakdown. Limitations of these devices include: a lack of robustness including frequent breakage of the prosthetic device; poor fit resulting in prosthetic devices that are too long; a limited selection of sizes that are non-anthropomorphic, and; poor control options with too few myoelectric control (EMG) sites in the residual limb to provide individual digit control. To overcome these limitations in the control interface, signal recording ability and the general lack of robustness of current prosthetic devices, we propose to use subcutaneous superficially located Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs) to create multiple myoelectric control sites to allow us to use standard-of-care surface electromyography (sEMG) methods to measure muscle activity from multiple control sites simultaneously. In addition, we will explore the use of novel surgical techniques to move innervated residual muscles close to the skin to enable the use surface myoelectric control techniques.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1203257

Entities

People

  • Stephen W. Kemp

Organizations

  • University of Michigan

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Amputation
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Research
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electromyography
  • Maryland
  • Medical Personnel
  • Michigan
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Prostheses And Implants
  • Prosthetics
  • Residual Limbs
  • Residuals
  • Standards
  • Surgery
  • Surgical Amputations
  • United States
  • Upper Limb Amputations
  • Upper Limb Prostheses

Readers

  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.
  • Robotics and Automation.