Volume 89, Issue 11 , Pages 2057-2065, November 2008
Control of a Six Degree of Freedom Prosthetic Arm After Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Surgery
Abstract
Miller LA, Lipschutz RD, Stubblefield KA, Lock BA, Huang H, Williams III TW, Weir RF, Kuiken TA. Control of a six degree of freedom prosthetic arm after targeted muscle reinnervation surgery.
Objectives
To fit and evaluate the control of a complex prosthesis for a shoulder disarticulation-level amputee with targeted muscle reinnervation.
Design
One participant who had targeted muscle reinnervation surgery was fitted with an advanced prosthesis and his use of this device was compared with the device that he used in the home setting.
Setting
The experiments were completed within a laboratory setting.
Participant
The first recipient of targeted muscle reinnervation: a bilateral shoulder disarticulation-level amputee.
Interventions
Two years after surgery, the subject was fitted with a 6 degree of freedom (DOF) prosthesis (shoulder flexion, humeral rotation, elbow flexion, wrist rotation, wrist flexion, and hand control). Control of this device was compared with that of his commercially available 3-DOF system (elbow, wrist rotation, and powered hook terminal device).
Main Outcome Measure
In order to assess performance, movement analysis and timed movement tasks were executed.
Results
The subject was able to independently operate all 6 arm functions with good control. He could simultaneously operate 2 DOF of several different joint combinations with relative ease. He operated up to 4 DOF simultaneously, but with poor control. Work space was markedly increased and some timed tasks were faster with the 6-DOF system.
Conclusions
This proof-of-concept study shows that advances in control of shoulder disarticulation-level prostheses can improve the quality of movement. Additional control sources may spur the development of more advanced and complex componentry for these amputees.
Key Words: Artificial limbs, Electromyography, Nerve transfer, Rehabilitation
List of Abbreviations: DOF, degree of freedom, EMG, electromyography, ROM, range of motion
Supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child and Human Development (grant no. R01 HD043137-01), and the Keiser Family Foundation.
A commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has conferred or will confer a financial benefit on the author or one or more of the authors. Williams III is an employee of Liberating Technologies, Inc, maker of the Boston Digital Arm, used in this study. This component was purchased by the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs from Liberating Technologies, Inc for this study.
PII: S0003-9993(08)00795-8
doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.05.016
© 2008 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Volume 89, Issue 11 , Pages 2057-2065, November 2008
