Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Biomedical Engineering
Session: 1
Room: Virginia C
Brianna Donaldson-Morton - University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Everyday there are new technological advances being developed to help change the lives of millions around the world. One such technology is the creation of neurological prosthetics, prostheses that are controlled by the body and that act as though they are a part of the human experience. In order to create these prosthetics, one would need to accomplish four steps: 1) obtain a neurological signal, 2) decode said signal, 3) develop a working output device, and 4) have said device provide feedback to the user. Much of the research surrounding the creation of these advanced prosthetics focuses on the first step, obtaining that signal.
My research includes a review on a few techniques that scientists have been studying that has allowed them to create basic neurological devices. For example, there have been studies on the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocorticogram (ECoG) to power communication devices such as BCI spellers. Electromyogram (EMG) to power simple upper body prosthetics and electrooculogram (EOG) to power wheelchairs. After reviewing and comparing these various signal detecting devices, electromyogram was used to read and understand the electrical activity generated by the human forearm to create and power a 3D printed robotic arm. Using a MyoWare sensor placed on different locations along the forearm, certain muscle groups that are involved in the movement of the fingers and wrist were targeted. The subject then positioned their hand and wrist in ten different positions. Five focusing on hand movements and five focusing on wrist movements. The data accumulated by MyoWare was read and decoded so that the InMoov arm can replicate the movements. The goal of this project is to be able to better understand how to create such a prosthetic and how we can improve what is already in use. By doing this we can add to the growing research on neurological interface systems.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Wisconsin Alliance for Minority Participation grant Ronald E. McNair Scholars program
Faculty Advisor: Ozgur Yavuzcetin, Yavuzceo@uww.edu
Role: I have done all of the research.