Stiffness Perception using Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation during Active and Passive Prosthetic Control

Luis Vargas, Helen Huang, Yong Zhu, Xiaogang Hu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Haptic feedback allows an individual to identify various object properties. In this preliminary study, we determined the performance of stiffness recognition using transcutaneous nerve stimulation when a prosthetic hand was moved passively or was controlled actively by the subjects. Using a 2x8 electrode grid placed along the subject's upper arm, electrical stimulation was delivered to evoke somatotopic sensation along their index finger. Stimulation intensity, i.e. sensation strength, was modulated using the fingertip forces from a sensorized prosthetic hand. Object stiffness was encoded based on the rate of change of the evoked sensation as the prosthesis grasped one of three objects of different stiffness levels. During active control, sensation was modulated in real time as recorded forces were converted to stimulation amplitudes. During passive control, prerecorded force traces were randomly selected from a pool. Our results showed that the accuracy of object stiffness recognition was similar in both active and passive conditions. A slightly lower accuracy was observed during active control in one subject, which indicated that the sensorimotor integration processes could affect haptic perception for some users.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication42nd Annual International Conferences of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Subtitle of host publicationEnabling Innovative Technologies for Global Healthcare, EMBC 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages3909-3912
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781728119908
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2020
Event42nd Annual International Conferences of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2020 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: Jul 20 2020Jul 24 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS
Volume2020-July
ISSN (Print)1557-170X

Conference

Conference42nd Annual International Conferences of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2020
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period7/20/207/24/20

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Signal Processing
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Health Informatics

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