Desenvolvimento de uma prótese de mão mioelétrica para estudo de sinais e movimentos

Abstract

The present work consists of the development of a hand prothesis to serve as a study platform for future developments implementations of hand prostheses. Its development was designed due to the large number of people who do not have access to similar technologies, since the existing models on the market still have a high commercialization value. The work developed will serve as a basis for advances in the area and if possible, a future cost reduction, popularizing this type of technology. The developed prosthesis is based on the reading of electromyographic signals from the individual, using circuits for acquisition and amplification of the signals, processing, and movement of the prosthesis. The acquisition and amplification circuit were designed from an instrumentation amplifier capable of detecting small signals eliminating most of the noise present in it and amplifying the resulting signal. The filtering circuit aimed to select the frequency ranges of interest of the signal eliminating electromagnetic and electrical network noise. The signal processing was exemplified using an ATmega2560 microcontroller in which in future works it will be possible to create algorithms for interpreting the EMG (Electromyography) signal and detecting patterns for the implementation of motor drive routines and thus movement of the different elements of the prosthesis. The hand prosthesis made in a 3D printer consisted of a model already widespread in the area with small adaptations to incorporate stepper motors. In functionality tests using simulated EMG signals obtained from real EMG databases, the designed study platform showed adequate potential to contribute to the development of solutions for interpreting EMG signals and creating movements like the original limb and thus improvement in the quality of life of patients.