A Myoelectric Postural Control Algorithm for Persons With Transradial Amputations: A Consideration of Clinical Readiness

The bottleneck in upper limb prosthetic design is the myoelectric control algorithm. We studied the clinical readiness of the myoelectric postural control algorithm in a laboratory setting with two transradial amputees utilizing a commercially available prosthetic limb system. The postural control algorithm was integrated into prosthetic limb systems using standard-of-care components. A comparison between a commercial state-of-the-art system (the i-limb revolution statebased myoelectric controller) and the postural controller was performed with two transradial amputees deploying a self-contained prosthesis system. The performance achieved using the i-limb revolution state-based controller versus the postural controller was mixed, based on the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP). The SHAP scores indicate that the postural controller with i-limb revolution provided, on average, 66% of hand function compared to that of an intact limb. Future work will study the advantages of the postural control algorithm in everyday use.