Prosthetic fingers can be controlled using myoelectric technology, which detects muscle contractions in the remaining part of the hand.
Myoelectric Control Explained
Electrically powered prosthetic fingers utilize small, battery-powered motors within each finger to enable movement.
- Electrodes: Electrodes are placed inside the socket of the prosthesis. These electrodes are strategically positioned to detect muscle contractions in the remaining portion of the hand or arm.
- Signal Detection: When the user intends to move a finger, they contract specific muscles. The electrodes sense these tiny electrical signals generated by the muscle contractions.
- Motor Activation: The detected electrical signals are then processed by a controller within the prosthesis. This controller activates the corresponding motors in the prosthetic fingers to mimic the desired movement. The reference states: "The electrodes then activate the motors in the prosthesis to achieve the desired finger movements."
- Proportional Control: More advanced systems can offer proportional control. The strength of the muscle contraction can influence the speed or force of the finger movement. This allows for more nuanced and natural control.
| Control Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Myoelectric | Uses electrical signals from muscle contractions to control motors in the prosthetic fingers. |
In summary, myoelectric prosthetic fingers use a sophisticated system to translate the user's intended movements into actual finger motion. The electrodes act as sensors, the controller as the brain, and the motors as the muscles of the artificial hand.
