Classification of transient myoelectric signals for the control of multi-grasp hand prostheses

Understanding the neurophysiological signals underlying voluntary motor control and decoding them for controlling limb prostheses is one of the major challenges in applied neuroscience and rehabilitation engineering. While pattern recognition of continuous myoelectric (EMG) signals is arguably the most investigated approach for hand prosthesis control, its underlying assumption is poorly supported, i.e., that repeated muscular contractions produce consistent patterns of steady-state EMGs. In fact, it still remain to be shown that pattern recognition-based controllers allow natural control over multiple grasps in a hand prosthesis outside well-controlled laboratory settings. Here we propose an approach that relies on decoding the intended grasp from forearm EMG recordings associated with the onset of muscle contraction as opposed to the steady-state signals. Eight unimpaired individuals and two hand amputees performed four grasping movements with a variety of arm postures while EMG recordings subsequently processed to mimic signals picked up by conventional myoelectric sensors were obtained from their forearms and residual limbs, respectively. Off-line data analyses demonstrated the feasibility of the approach also with respect to the limb position effect. The sampling frequency and length of the classified EMG window that off-line resulted in optimal performance were applied to a controller of a research prosthesis worn by one hand amputee and proved functional in real-time when operated under realistic working conditions.