Advanced Signal Processing Dramatically Improves Capability of Artificial Limbs
From: ECN Magazine - 09/2005 - page 41
By: Chris Clearman

Just a few years ago, all upper limb prostheses were based on analog
controls, meaning that a user relied solely on upper-arm muscle movements to
control the prosthetic device. If an amputee had limited use of the upper arm
muscles, however, he or she may have been unable to use a prosthesis, or may
only have been able to benefit from a fraction of its capabilities.  

The power that the prosthetic gripper exerted was controlled by a single
predefined limit, meaning that the same amount of force used for lifting a
heavy object would also be applied for holding an egg or a child’s hand.
Also, traditional artificial limbs were limited to controlling only three
joints one at a time - the elbow, wrist and hand.  

Today, however, a new generation of prostheses uses an advanced signal
processing-based motor control strategy to dramatically improve these
capabilities. The Boston Digital Arm from Liberating Technologies provides
amputees with unique, upper limb prostheses that are dramatically more
flexible and capable, in large part due to the control optimized performance
and integration offered by digital signal controllers from Texas Instruments.  

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ecnmag.com/article/CA6254700.html

Links:
Liberating Technologies
http://www.liberatingtech.com/