Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The equipment requested is an isokinetic dynamometer to study human movement under controlled conditions. Prosthetic design has advanced greatly over the last two decades; however, challenges remain including user acceptance, increasing the number of functions, lowering reaction times and increasing the intuitiveness of the prosthesis. In addition, it is essential that typical prosthesis movements are studied. Surface EMG has been used to investigate muscle activation patterns to determine which areas of a residual limb would be appropriate for electrode placement and myoelectric control and information within the surface EMG can be used as a control signal for assistive devices. There remains, however, little research investigating muscle activity patterns in both lower and upper limb movements for those with amputations. The use of isokinetic dynamometers is a viable option for those with amputations and, when integrated with newer, high-density EMG (HDEMG) systems, has allowed for greater collection of muscle activation data and understanding of underlying neuromuscular function. HDEMG is a non-invasive technique that collects myoelectric signals from many closely spaced electrodes. Information from HDEMG can be used to obtain accurate data for advanced signal processing techniques to improve prosthetic control strategies that allow for complex movement with ease, which is currently lacking in prosthetics. Isokinetic dynamometry is used extensively in human movement research and we have shown that this technology can be used successfully with prosthesis users (both with and without their device). While we currently have a dynamometer, it is over 17 years old and in desperate need of replacement. Over the last two decades, we have used the dynamometer to measure muscle forces and EMG data from those with amputations and also developed custom-built upper and lower limb adapters which we have patented. The isokinetic dynamometer requested will be able to integrate easily with our current biological signal acquisition systems including a multichannel EMG system as well as a wireless electroencaephalography (EEG) system. The dynamometer requested will replace the previous system and allow for easy integration of biological acquisition systems. The equipment will enable our research team to examine detailed, high volume muscle activity data as well as cognitive burden during prosthetic function, information previously unavailable to us. The advantage of the dynamometer is the ability to conduct a wide variety of movement tests for both upper and lower limbs while maintaining a controlled speed. This enables the examination of dynamic movement in controlled conditions, limiting confounding factors. The ability to integrate significant muscle and neural measures simultaneously will help to develop robust muscle models to improve the human machine interface.