Live Demonstration: Prosthesis Control Using a Real-Time Retina Cell Network Simulator

Abstract

As actuated prostheses mature in reliability, they are moving beyond academic development and into market. Volitional control of the prosthesis is often by means of myoelectric signalling within the user. The corresponding electromyograph is processed by the controller, and relayed into the corresponding positions and grips. This muscle control can be impaired in amputees depending on the location of the amputation, or by neurological disorders or damage. In this demonstration we suggest a means of overcoming this limitation by using visual signalling as a control. A conductance-based retina simulator is used to demonstrate the feasibility of prosthesis control using a combination of the rod and cone cell responses.