Development of a feedback device of temperature sensation for a myoelectric prosthetic hand by using Peltier element

Abstract

This study discusses a feedback of temperature sensation for myoelectric prosthetic hand users. First, when the myoelectric prosthetic hand touches an object, the object temperature is detected by a temperature sensor installed on a fingertip. However, since the response of the temperature sensor is late, a temperature prediction algorithm is proposed. The identification of a transfer function of the temperature sensor was executed and temperature prediction is performed by using the identified transfer function. As a result, the temperature can be estimated in few seconds. Second, a feedback device of temperature sensation was developed using the Peltier element, which is mounted on the upper arm of a user. Third, the difference between the temperature sensation on the fingertip and upper arm was investigated. Then, when the user touches an object using the myoelectric prosthetic hand, the temperature at the fingertip is estimated using the temperature prediction algorithm, and the feedback device produces the corresponding temperature sensation in the upper arm. Thus, the user can sense the object temperature in the upper arm. Finally, an experiment to distinguish among five different temperatures was performed using the myoelectric prosthetic hand to verify the effectiveness of the developed feedback device.