EMG-AMPLIFIER UNIT

Abstract

An EMG amplifier unit for placement at or in a prosthesis stem, whereby the EMG amplifier unit comprises a first input signal contact group for connection of the EMG amplifier unit with a first EMG electrode, a second input signal contact group for the connection of the EMG amplifier unit with a second EMG electrode and an output signal contact group for direct and/or indirect connection of the EMG amplifier unit with a prosthesis control.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An EMG Amplifier unit for placement at or in a prosthesis stem, whereby the EMG amplifier unit comprises: an enclosure, further comprising an enclosure inner space which is defined by enclosure walls, a first input signal contact group with several input signal contacts to connect the EMG amplifier unit with at least a first EMG electrodes pair, a second input signal contact group with several input signal contacts to connect the EMG electrode unit with at least a second EMG electrode pair, an output signal contact group for either direct or indirect connection of the EMG amplifier unit with a prosthesis control, a signal amplifier, and a signal processing device, further comprising that the input signal contacts of the first input signal contact group are at least in electric connection with a signal input of the signal amplifier and the input signal contacts of the second input signal contact group are in electric connection with at least an additional signal input of the amplifier, whereby at least an output signal of the signal amplifier is connected with a signal input of the signal processing device, and the signal amplifier and the signal processing device are positioned in the enclosure inner space.

12. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 11, further comprising that the input signal contact and/or the output signal contact are positioned in the enclosure inner space.

13. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 12, further comprising that the input signal contacts and/or the output signal contacts are connected with electric wire which is brought through the enclosure wall.

14. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 13, further comprising that the amplifier unit has a certain circuit board on which the signal processing device and the signal amplifier are positioned.

15. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 11, further comprising, that the EMG amplifier unit has a lighting source which provides a strength of one of the input signals and/or a strengths of an output signal.

16. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 15, further comprising that a light source is assigned to each output signal contact group.

17. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 15, further comprising that a color of the lighting source or a light intensity of the lighting source is matched based on the signals strength of at least one of the input signal contacts groups and/or at least one of the output signal contact groups.

18. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 11, further comprising that the EMG amplifier unit has exactly two input signal contact groups.

19. The EMG amplifier unit according to claim 11, further comprising that the EMG amplifier unit has a button to change amplification of at least one of the input signals.

20. An EMG electrode/amplifier unit, comprising an EMG amplifier unit according to claim 11, and at least an EMG electrode pair to register EMG signals, further comprising that the EMG electrode pair has first and second contact surfaces for the positioning on skin, and a first flexible signal wiring for the transport of EMG signals which has been registered by the first contact surface to the EMG amplifier, and a second flexible signal wiring for the transport of the EMG signals which has been registered by the second contact surface to the amplifier unit, whereby both contact surfaces register EMG signals coming from the same muscle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Furthermore, the invention is explained based of an embodiment example through the drawings. Hereby shows

[0050] FIG. 1 a first EMG electrode/amplifier unit as top view,

[0051] FIG. 2 a first EMG electrode/amplifier unit as side view,

[0052] FIG. 3 a second EMG electrode/amplifier unit with an output signal wiring,

[0053] FIG. 4 a third EMG electrode/amplifier unit as top view,

[0054] FIG. 5 a third EMG electrode/amplifier unit as side view,

[0055] FIG. 6 a fourth EMG electrode/amplifier unit as top view,

[0056] FIG. 6a a fourth EMG electrode/amplifier unit as side view,

[0057] FIG. 7 an EMG electrode in an exploded view drawing,

[0058] FIG. 8 the EMG electrode in an assembled condition,

[0059] FIGS. 9a, 9b a fifth EMG amplifier unit in different perspectives,

[0060] FIG. 10 the fifth EMG amplifier unit with an EMG electrode in a sectional view,

[0061] FIG. 10a the fifth EMG electrode/amplifier unit without cover,

[0062] FIG. 11 the fifth EMG electrode/amplifier unit as top view,

[0063] FIG. 11b the fifth EMG electrode/amplifier unit as side view,

[0064] FIG. 11c the fifth EMG electrode/amplifier unit as diagonal from the top,

[0065] FIG. 11d the fifth EMG electrode/amplifier unit as top view,

[0066] FIG. 12 a second EMG electrode in an exploded view drawing,

[0067] FIG. 12b in a perspective presentation,

[0068] FIG. 13 the second EMG electrode in an assembled condition,

[0069] FIG. 14 a hand prosthesis with a EMG electrode-/amplifier unit,

[0070] FIG. 15 a sixth EMG amplifier unit,

[0071] FIG. 17 a second hand prosthesis with an EMG electrode-/amplifier unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0072] FIG. 1 shows an EMG Electrode amplifier unit 1 with an EMG an amplifier unit 2, a first EMG electrode 3, a second EMG electrode 4, a first output cable 5 and a second output cable 6.

[0073] The second EMG amplifier unit 2 has an enclosure 7 which has a rigid design and can be made from plastic. The enclosure 7 has a top side 8, a bottom side 9, a front side area 10 and a back side area 11, a right side area 12 and a left side area 13.

[0074] A first input signal contact group 14 and a second input signal contact group 15 are positioned at the back side area 11.

[0075] The input signal contact group 14 comprises a first input signal contact 18, a second input signal contact 19, and a first reference contact 20. The first input signal contact 18 is in electric contact with the first input signal wiring 21 of the first electrode 3, the second input signal contact 19 is in electric contact with the second input signal wiring 22 of the first electrode 3 and the reference contact 20 is in an electric contact with the reference wiring 23 of the first electrode 3.

[0076] The first input signal wiring 21 has an electric contact with the first signal contact surface 24. The first signal contact surface 24 is hereby suitable to be placed on the skin of the prosthesis user to derive a movement potential of a muscle.

[0077] The second input signal wiring 22 is in electric contact with the second signal contact surface 25. The second signal contact surface 25 is also be positioned on the skin of the prosthesis user and derives a movement potential at a different location of the same muscle.

[0078] The reference wiring 23 is in electric contact with a reference signal contact surface 26 which is located between the first signal contact surface 24 and the second signal contact surface 25. The reference signal contact surface 26 also receives reference signals from the skin of the prosthesis user.

[0079] The first signal contact surface 24, the second signal contact surface 25, and the reference signal contact workers 26 are mounted on an especially flexible carrier surface 27, so that the contact surfaces 24, 25, and 26 has a defined distance from the skin of the prosthesis user.

[0080] The second input signal contact group 15 has a first input signal contact 28, a second input signal contact 29 and a reference contact 30. The second electrode 4 comprises a first input signal wiring 31, a second input signal wiring 33, and a reference wiring 32. The first input signal contact 28 is in electric contact with the first input signal wiring 31 of the second electrode 4, the second input signal contact 29 is in the electric contact with the second input signal wiring 33 of the second electrode 4, and the reference contact 30 is in electric contact with the reference wiring 32 of the second electrode 4.

[0081] The first input signal wiring 31 is in electric contact with the first signal contact surface 34. The first signal contact surface 34 is suitable for being applied to the skin of the prosthesis user and for deriving an action potential of a muscle.

[0082] The second input signal wiring 33 is in electric contact with a second signal contact surface 36. The second signal contact surface 36 can also be applied to the skin of the prosthesis user to derive a movement potential of the same muscle at a different location.

[0083] The reference wiring 32 is in electric contact with a reference signal contact surface 35 which is located between the first signal contact surface 34 and the second signal contact surface 36. The reference signal contact surface 35 receives reference signals from the skin of the prosthesis user.

[0084] The first signal contact surface 34, the second signal contact surface 36, and the reference signal contact surface 35 are mounted on a particularly flexible carrier surface 37 so that the contact surface 34, 35, and 36 have a defined distance from skin of the prosthesis user.

[0085] A first output signal contact group 16 and a second output signal contact group 17 are positioned at the front side surface 10 of the enclosure 7. The first output signal cable 5 is in electric contact with the output signal contact group 16, and the second output signal cable 6 is in electric contact with the second output signal contact group 17.

[0086] The output signal contact group 16 comprises a first output signal contact 38, a second output signal contact 40, and an output reference contact 39. The first output signal contact 38 is in electric contact with a first output signal wiring 41, the second output signal contact 40 is in electric contact with the second output signal wiring 43, and the output reference contact 39 is in electric contact with the output reference wiring 42.

[0087] A plug 44 is provided, at the distal end of the output signal wiring 40, 42 and the output reference wiring 42, to connect the output signal cable 5 with an additional signal processing element, such as the prosthesis control.

[0088] The second output signal contact group 17 comprises a first output signal contact 45, a second output signal contact 47, and an output reference contact 46. The first output signal contact 45 is in electric contact with a first output signal wiring 48, the second output signal contact 47 is in electric contact with a second output signal wiring 50, and the output reference contact 46 is in electric contact with an output reference wiring 49.

[0089] A plug 51 is provided, at the distal end of the output signal wiring 48, 50 and the output reference wiring 49, to connect the output signal cable 6 with an additional signal processing element, such as the prosthesis control.

[0090] FIG. 2 shows the EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 from the side. It can be seen in the contact surfaces 24, 25, 26 are above the carrier surface 27 so that the electric contact, between the contact surfaces 24, 25, 26 and the skin of the prosthesis user, are reliably achieved.

[0091] FIG. 3 shows an additional EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 from the front, whereby the input signal wiring 21, 22 and the input signal wiring 31, 33 and the respective reference wiring 23, 32 are provided in their proximal ends 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 with contact rings 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, which are in electric contact with the respective wiring 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33. The contact rings 58, 59, 6B, 61, 62, 63 can hereby be used to achieve an electric contact with the respective contact surfaces 21, 25, 26, and 34, 35, 36.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows such an EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 from the side.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows an EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 from the front with two electrodes 3, 4 and a common reference wiring 63. This reference wiring 63 can hereby be in electric contact with a skin location of the prosthesis user, whereby the main place can be between the contact surfaces 24, 25, and 36, 34.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows a contact surface 24 which has a contact surface header 64 and a contact surface pin attached thereto. This contact surface header 64 is provided so that it makes contact with the skin of the prosthesis user. The contact surface pin 65 is passed through the carrier surface 27. The contact ring 58 is brought around the contact surface pin 65, at the side of the areas surface which faces a way from the contact surface header 64, and fixed in position between the nut 66 and the carrier surface 27 by means of the nut 66 which meshes with a thread of the contact surface pin 65.

[0095] FIG. 8a shows the input signal wiring 21 with the contact ring 58.

[0096] FIG. 8b shows the input signal wiring 21 as it is electrically connected with the contact surface header 64.

[0097] FIG. 9 shows an EMG amplifier unit 2 comprising a first input signal plug 67, a second input signal plug 68, a third signal input plug 69, a fourth input signal plug 70, a fifth signal input plug 71 and a sixth signal input plug 72. The EMG amplifier unit 2 further comprises a first output signal plug 73 and a second output signal plug 74.

[0098] FIG. 10 shows an EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 with the EMG amplifier unit 2 as in FIG. 9. The EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 hereby has an electrode 3 and an output signal cable 5. The electrode 3 has an input signal wiring 21 where a plug 75 is positioned, at its proximal end, for the electric connection of the input signal wiring 21 with the contact surface 24. A second plug 76 is position, at the distal end of the input signal wiring 21, for electric connection of the input signal wiring 21 with the input signal plug 69.

[0099] The output signal cable 5 has a first plug 77, at its proximal end, for the electric connection of the output signal cable 5 with the EMG amplifier unit 2. The output signal cable 5 has a second plug 78, at its distal end, for the electric connection of the output signal cable 5 with a prosthesis control, for instance.

[0100] FIG. 11 shows the EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1, as in FIG. 10, in an installed condition.

[0101] FIG. 12 shows an electrode 3. Hereby, the electrode has a contact surface header 64 and a contact surface pin 65. Whereby the contact surface header 64 is provided to make contact with the skin of the prosthesis user, and the contact surface pin 65 extends though the flexible carrier 27. The contact surface pin 65 hereby has a screw thread. A plugging board 79 is provided, on the side of the carrier 27 which is facing away from the contact surface header 64, and has an opening 108 through which the contact surface pin 65 is brought through. The plugging board 79 is firmly fixed to the flexible carrier 27, via a nut 66 which meshes with the thread of the contact surface pin 65. The plugging board 79 has an electronic plug contact 80 which is compatible with the plug 75 and the proximal end of the input signal wiring 21. A cover 109 can hereby cover the end of the screw and the nut 66.

[0102] FIG. 13 shows the electrode 3 in the installed condition.

[0103] FIG. 14 shows a hand prosthesis 82, comprising a prosthesis hand 83, a prosthesis wrist 84 which connects the prosthesis hand 83 with a prosthesis stem 85. The EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1, with the EMG amplifier unit 2 and the EMG electrodes 3, 4, are located in the prosthesis stem. The contact surfaces 24, 25, 26 and 34, 35, 36 of the electrodes 3 or 4, respectively, are positioned on the skin 86 of the prosthesis user. Also, a battery element 87 is located in the prosthesis stem 85, which is connected with the prosthesis hand 83 via a battery charging element 88.

[0104] FIG. 15 shows an EMG electrode/amplifier unit 1 which has an EMG amplifier unit 2. The EMG amplifier unit 2 has two LEDs 89, 90 which display the output signal strength. In addition, the EMG amplifier unit 2 has a button 110 which enables the adjustment of the amplification of the input signals.

[0105] FIG. 16 shows a hand prosthesis 82 whereby the prosthesis hand has one or several motors 91 for the movement of the prosthesis hand 83. The motors 91 are controlled through a prosthesis control 92 which is electrically connected with the motor 91. The prosthesis control 92 is electrically connected with the EMG amplifier 2 through two output signal cables 5, 6, in particular with the output signal contact groups 16, 17.

[0106] The input signal contact groups 14, 15 are hereby electrically connected with the electrodes 3, 4, in particular, the input signal wiring 21, 22 are connected with the contact surfaces 24, 27 which are placed on the skin of a muscle 94. The input signal wiring 31, 33 are electrically connected with the contact surface 34, 36 which are placed on a second muscle 95. The reference wiring 63 is electrically connected with the contact surface 96 which is located on the skin of the two muscles.

[0107] FIG. 17 shows the EMG electrode/amplifier unit, as in FIG. 16, whereby here each electrode 3, 4 is provided with a reference wiring 23, 32, whereby the reference wiring 23, 32 is electrically connected with contact surfaces 26, 35 which are located between the two contact surfaces 24, 25 or 36, 34, respectively.

[0108] To avoid repetition, same or similar parts can have identical reference characters.