Hello,

I am writing in regards to inquire about more info about a complete microcontroller system to be integrated in the following graduate studies project.

I am working as part of a team with Professor Melek and Professor Khamesee at the University of Waterloo, Canada.

We have been working on a study where our primary objective is to replicate the motion of the healthy leg on a prosthetic leg. This project involves a new design for the Prosthetic Leg which is aimed to be cost-effective and simple to mount. The project was initiated in September of 2005: A) development of mechanical system and actuators; B) Sensor system and data accusation from muscles; C) Control system and microcontroller.

With regards to the sensory system, we have done preliminary research that entails using an EMG sensor system to pick up signals from the healthy leg. This signal is sent to the control system, where they are analyzed and converted using fuzzy logic into correct output signals (Relative knee angle AND Angular Velocity) for the replication of the healthy leg’s motion. The output signals are sent to the actuator of the mechanical system, and a motion is created on the prosthetic leg.

So far we have done preliminary studies to correspond the EMG data to the moments involved using motion capture analysis while an individual is standing up and sitting down in a chair. We have also used force sensors (piezoelectric technology) from Tekscan Incorporated to measure the forces that occur during the deflection of the surface muscles surrounding the femur.

We all have backgrounds in Mechanical / Biomedical Engineering and we are still looking into a more feasible control system to be incorporated into this study. All necessary hardware/software required for a full setup. We need a microcontroller to be able to have enough input ports to handle EMG information from 4 sensors. Preferably with expandable memory.

I would appreciate any information and help on a complete microcontroller system that could be fully integrated into this study that will allow us to send signals into the actuator of the hydraulic-driven knee.


Best Regards,

Vincent Ku
BASc Mechanical Engineering
Biomechanics Specialization
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario