Systems Approach to Skeletal Control: Concept of the System

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the important improvements in the design of robots and states that artificial limbs can be obtained by using the systems approach. The myoelectrical activity of the muscle during contraction is also used for control purposes. The output may be discrete or proportional. The first working model of the hand prosthesis using myoelectrical control was an important event in the rehabilitation field. Efficient man–machine communication and signal processing are vital for the acceptance of rehabilitation aids by the patient. The multifunctional terminal device, so-called Belgrade hand, needs for its control just one control site generating an electrical signal proportional to muscle contraction. The systems approach to muscle control leads to a completely new type of assistive device for the rehabilitation of paralyzed persons. Gait stability means essentially that after each step the end position of the whole body should be the same as at the beginning. If this repeatability can be assured the biped locomotion is maintained. Thus, by combining the multilevel approach with the repeatability conditions, feasible solutions for artificial locomotion of completely paralyzed patients are obtained.