An Active EMG-Controlled A/K Prosthesis

Abstract

A pressure reservoir in conjunction with a pneumatic piston and cylinder is employed to conserve a portion of the energy dissipated during swing phase by conventional A/K actuators. During the portion of the swing cycle when energy is to be supplied at the knee, the pressure reservoir serves as driver. A controller was designed such that given a desired knee torque determined from a myoelectric processing algorithm, two-way solenoid valves are appropriately adjusted to realize that torque.