Feasibility of using myoelectric signals from wrist muscles for control of a hand grasp neuroprosthesis

Myoelectric signals from wrist flexor and extensor muscles were characterized in five able-bodied subjects for the purpose of evaluating the feasibility of their use as control signals for a hand grasp neuroprosthesis for individuals with C7 spinal cord injury. In each of the five subjects, the myoelectric signals intended for control could be distinguished from baseline myoelectric activity and the myoelectric signals produced during wrist flexion could be distinguished from those during wrist extension. Furthermore, each subject could maintain several distinct levels of contraction during wrist flexion and extension. These results demonstrate that myoelectric signals from wrist muscles meet minimum requirements for them to be considered as control signals for the hand grasp neuroprosthesis.