Improving the Transparency of an Exoskeleton Knee Joint Based on the Understanding of Motor Intent Using Energy Kernel Method of EMG

IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2017 Jun;25(6):577-588. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2016.2582321. Epub 2016 Jun 20.

Abstract

Transparent control is still highly challenging for robotic exoskeletons, especially when a simple strategy is expected for a large-impedance device. To improve the transparency for late-phase rehabilitation when "patient-in-charge" mode is necessary, this paper aims at adaptive identification of human motor intent, and proposed an iterative prediction-compensation motion control scheme for an exoskeleton knee joint. Based on the analysis of human-machine interactive mechanism (HMIM) and the semiphenomenological biomechanical model of muscle, an online adaptive predicting controller is designed using a focused time-delay neural network (FTDNN) with the inputs of electromyography (EMG), position and interactive force, where the activation level of muscle is estimated from EMG using a novel energy kernel method. The compensating controller is designed using the normative force-position control paradigm. Initial experiments on the human-machine integrated knee system validated the effectiveness and ease of use of the proposed control scheme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Electromyography / methods*
  • Exoskeleton Device*
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Knee Joint / physiology*
  • Man-Machine Systems
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity