Signal Processing Powers Next-Generation Prosthetics: Researchers Investigate Techniques That Enable Artificial Limbs to Behave More Like Their Natural Counterparts [Special Reports]

Prosthetic limbs have improved significantly over the past several years, and signal processing has played a key role in allowing these devices to operate more smoothly and precisely on command. Now, researchers are taking the next step forward by using signal processing approaches and methods to develop prosthetics that not only function reliably and efficiently but give wearers more natural control over artificial arms, hands, and legs. Researchers at London’s Imperial College, for instance, have developed a prosthetic arm sensor technology that detects signals transmitted by nerves in the spinal cord. To control the prosthetic, the wearer simply has to think about controlling a phantom arm and imagine a simple maneuver, such as pinching two fingers together. The sensor technology then interprets electrical signals sent from the spine and uses them as commands. Existing robotic prosthetic arms are controlled by having the wearer twitch remaining muscles in his or her shoulder or arm. The new approach detects signals from spinal motor neurons in parts of the body that were left undamaged by the amputation