Motor drive using surface electromyography for flexion and extension of finger and hand muscles

This paper introduces a method for detecting electromyographic signals from the opening and closing (extension and flexion) of the hand as well as individual fingers. The method is ideally suited for active prosthesis. In this study, all steps and techniques i.e. signal acquisition, amplification and DC motor control using the EMG signals for the hand movements, are undertaken. The method is successfully demonstrated on a simple DC motor for the two motions of an actual human arm. EMG signals were observed using a portable EMG system as well as a self designed amplification circuitry and control of the hand movements was implemented on a DC motor. Furthermore, Finger classification was studied using the EMG system.