EMG Based Prosthetic Hand For Amputees

Project Title

EMG Based Prosthetic Hand For Amputees

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

The epitome of our project is that we are making Robotic Prosthetic Limb for “Amputees”. There are a lot of number of accident on daily bases all around the world due to which people lost their upper limbs and also due to disease like diabetes doctor recommend the patient to cut off his upper limb, after that this amputees are limited to do their daily routine task e.g. holding a cup of tea, drinking a glass of water and many more.

This is often seen these amputees using wooden made prosthesis, which are heavy in weight and non-functional, it means that they can’t do any task with that wooden made prosthesis.

For our project we are making a “Brain controlled prosthetic limb” .That actually works by the signal generated from the brain and then this signal comes to the muscles and from these residual muscles we pick the signal with help of ”EMG SENSOR” and then “Signal processing” is done on this signal because there are still raw values .After noise removal and amplification this analog signal is fed to the circuitry, where with the specific algorithms we give command to the micro controller to move the specific actuator according to the tense  of the muscles. Main features of our projects are as following

• Feedback system
• Fire alert system
• Solar charging for battery backup
• Arm band

Project Objectives

The main idea behind this project is to make an affordable design of prosthetic hand which is controlled by EMG sensors, for those people who are amputees and for those who can’t afford this artificial robotic hand. It will helpful for amputee’s rehabilitation. We have many goals that we have to achieve in our project. Salient points are as following

• Low cost prosthesis.
• Light weight.
• Advanced features (Feedback system, Fire alert system, solar charging as battery backup, wirelessly controlling prosthesis (Arm band).
• Totally functional.

Low cost prosthesis

Currently available prosthesis is much expensive, that’s why amputees are unable to afford them and use the prosthesis, cost more than $5000. One of our main objectives is to reduce its cost. For which we are using 3D printing technology.

Light weight

Another main objective is to make the prosthesis light weight, so that amputees can feel it as their part of body, the prosthesis that we are making are about 500 grams in weight, that is much lighter than other prosthesis available in market.

Advanced features

We are targeting those things (features) that are not available in the currently available robotic prosthesis, as feedback system that will allow the person that how force he should apply to pick up a grape and eating it without squeezing. Amputees are using currently available prosthesis cannot notice that their hand is in the fire if they are not attentive, so with our fire alert system they will have a vibration on their limb if they bring their prosthetic limb near the fire.

Totally functional

By totally functional means that all the fingers will work as a natural hand’s finger works. There will be all grips like tripod grip, pinch grip, fist grip and all required grips for daily life routine(As an amputee need).So that the person using our prosthetic limb can write with pencil, can hold a cup of tea.

Project Implementation Method

Click on the link to see the complete documentation 

EMG Sensor:

In this project, EMG electrodes are used to detect the raw signal from muscle of body part (like from muscles of arm). Sensor circuitry receives the raw signal with the help of EMG electrodes cable. The raw signal is fed to the EMG sensor which operates at very low voltage. This signal is passed through filtration processes (HPF & LPF) in the sensor circuitry.

Microcontroller board:

The filtered signal via EMG sensors and Bluetooth is received at the end of microcontroller embedded board (having Microcontroller and Bluetooth receiver and motor drivers circuitry, power supply I/Os and a USB port to program the microcontroller). The Analog signal is received at the analog pins (10bits) of microcontroller embedded on the board. The embedded microcontroller board has power supply input of 5-12volt and 12Amps. The internal circuitry of IC’s is used to control the value of current for actuators. Embedded system microcontroller board is designed in such a way, that we can program it with the help of USB port easily, with MATLAB and Arduino IDE. It has analog signal port (0-3volt), with this port we can collect the analog signals. Some unique features we have added in this project.

A Feedback system: This is an externally feedback system designed by using FSR sensors that directly communicate with microcontroller. This is an independent system tells the amputees how much force he can apply to pick up a soft things or hard things. 

Battery backup: As we know prosthesis is a tool that consumes the energy. It needs a strong backup system that amputees can use it maximum whole day. We have added strong batteries and a system that depends on solar charging work as a backup for entire hardware.

Safety system: This is an independent system which works for the safety of prosthesis. It can tell amputees by sending a signal to the microcontroller e.g. keep away from the fire, etc. this system alerts the amputees.

Bluetooth Arm band: This system connects the EMG sensors and microcontroller board with Bluetooth module. Signal is transmitted with the help of Bluetooth at the end of microcontroller.

Dual H-bridge motor driver controller:  This driver is used to control the Actuators. Actuators are controlled in a control way with the help of this driver to perform exact actions in back and forth direction of fingers.

FTDI231XQ: this module is used to program the microcontroller board directly with the help of USB port.

References links:

How to use Arm band

concept of Implementation of EMG sensor with microcontroller

Technique of Electromyography

 how to wear and use Arm Band

Video: Initial steps to FYP, Interfacing of EMG sensor with Arduino

Benefits of the Project

The technology of prosthetics has been steadily improving over the years. The prosthesis have microprocessors as well as pneumatic and actuators controls to promote natural movement. These are evidence of the prosthetic industry’s steady progress, but it’s important to note that it doesn’t stop there. The entire sector has been revolutionized by the arrival of 3D printing, leverages modern technology to change the lives of ordinary people.

• There are 2 Million plus data of amputees of upper case and lower case lie in Pakistan.
• Losing a limb will always result to physical and mobility problems; hand amputees will have problems with picking up objects, while leg amputees will have difficulties with maintaining balance and getting around. Nothing will ever replace real limbs, but prosthetics are the next-best thing. They make it easier for people to regain their balance, do basic tasks, and be on the road to independence. And they’re getting better and changing their lives also.
• A good design of prosthetic limb can change life of amputees. Best in accuracy and good design make it durable and reliable.

• Through 3D printing's prosthetics the amputee or limb different person can take control of the self expression of their disability. Instead of a homogenous utilitarian approach to prosthetic limbs, The Alternate Limb Project empowers disabled people, giving them freedom to be creative and expressive. Instead of wanting to hide their limb different body away, suddenly people with missing limbs want to show off their bodies and celebrate their differences.
• In the early days, Amputees were using the stuff which was heavy in weight and non-functional. With the help advance technology and light weight materials we can change life style of amputees and handicapped people. These tools are more functional and reliable. 
• They have High level functionality and better performance
• They are more accurate.
• Prosthetic devices play a major role in rehabilitation. It increases mobility and the ability to manage household activities. The main purpose of prostheses is to restore the normal function of the missing body part. It is achieved by the software interfaced with the hardware designs.
• Traditional prosthetics are getting a makeover with bionic propulsion systems, processors that predict the user’s movements, and other innovations. Ultimately, these exciting technologies will make their way to 3D printed prosthetics, allowing people to have access to these improvements and enjoy better mobility and more control over their life.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

• The whole process starts off in your brain
• Neural activity in the motor cortex (part of your brain) signals to the spinal cord
• The signal is then conveyed to the muscle part via motor neurons
• Motor neurons innervate the muscle directly, causing the release of Calcium ions within the muscle and ultimately creating a mechanical change
• This mechanical change involves depolarization (change in electromechanical gradient), which is then detected by EMG for measurement.
• Advance techniques are used in this project (Feedback system, battery backup system, safety system, Bluetooth arm band).

References links:

Technical details of Design and Implementation of EMG 

Technical Details of design and development of EMG based prosthetic arm

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry OthersOther Industries Medical , Health Core Technology OthersOther Technologies 3D/4D Printing, Robotics, Wearables and ImplantablesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	79058
TPU Material	Miscellaneous	1	4549	4549
PLA Material	Miscellaneous	1	3199	3199
Muscle sensor	Equipment	2	3000	6000
PCB	Equipment	5	689	3445
ATmega 2560 IC's	Equipment	2	800	1600
resistors and capacitors	Equipment	110	5	550
motor driver IC's	Equipment	3	616	1849
MG996R servo motor	Equipment	2	750	1500
acrylic sheet	Miscellaneous	1	200	200
actuators motor	Equipment	5	10433	52163
mini gear motors	Equipment	2	799	1598
motor driver module	Equipment	2	200	400
soldering wire	Miscellaneous	1	300	300
soldering flux	Miscellaneous	1	50	50
soldering iron	Miscellaneous	1	405	405
solder sucker	Miscellaneous	1	100	100
jumper wire	Miscellaneous	2	90	180
breadboard	Miscellaneous	1	120	120
FSR sensor	Equipment	1	850	850