DSP-based controller for a multi-degree prosthetic hand

The electromyographic (EMG) signal is used to discriminate eight hand motions: power grasp, hook grasp, wrist flexion, lateral pinch, flattened hand, centralized grip, three-jaw chuck and cylindrical grasp. From the analysis of the PC-based control system, a three-channel EMG signal is used to distinguish eight hand motions for the short below elbow amputee. Pattern recognition is used in this discriminative system. Three surface electrodes are placed on palmaris longus, entensor digitorum and flexor carpi ulnaris. Due to the complexity of the EMG signal and the portable consideration of the controller, a controller based on digital signal processor (DSP) is designed and implemented in this discriminative system. The DSP integrates the signal preprocessing module, the digital filter module and pattern recognition module into the controller. The online DSP controller can provide 87.5% correct rate for the discrimination of eight hand motions