A myoelectric controlled prosthetic hand with an evolvable hardware LSI chip

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative multi-function myoelectric hand prosthesis, where the key technology is a new hardware paradigm called evolvable hardware (EHW). An EHW chip, which is capable of adapting its own circuit structure to changes in specifications, is used as the action decision circuit of the mechanical hand to classify myoelectric patterns, because myoelectric signals vary both among individuals and over time for the same individual. Beside, because the EHW chip executes myoelectric pattern classification with a simple logic circuit, it is suitable for applications where size is an important consideration, such hand prosthesis.