Artificial hand with conductive silicon on the surface

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K12951
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: The University of Electro-Communications
• Principal Investigator: YOKOI HIROSHI 電気通信大学, 大学院情報理工学研究科, 教授 (90271634)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 姜 銀来 電気通信大学, 脳科学ライフサポート研究センター, 准教授 (70508340)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 導電性シリコーン / 筋電義手 / 筋電センサ / 感圧センサ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Surface electrodes are required to measure the EMG (Electromyography) signals for the control of myoelectric prosthetic hands. This study developed conductive silicon by mixing silicon with aggregative carbon black. The conductive silicon was applied to metallic non-woven fabric to create materials for the electrodes. Since the electrodes are supposed to be used between the skin and the socket, the influence of force to the quality of the EMG signal was investigated. The electrodes were encapsulated in insulating silicon to be applicable to circumstances with sweat or water. Furthermore, a pressure-sensitive sensor was developed with the conductive silicon, which can be integrated into the prosthetic hand to provide sensory function.

Free Research Field

ロボット工学，医用福祉機械

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学術的意義：本研究が目指している義手は，全体が柔らかく，人体とのインターフェース部の局所的面圧が高くなることを防ぎ，重量物も支えられるようになる上に，電気的特性も安定する．また，自分の体の一部のように取り扱うことが可能となる柔軟な義肢装具の開発に意義がある．
社会的意義：筋電義手やパワーアシストスーツなど電動装具に柔軟性と防水性を持たせることで，付けたまま水回りの作業やお風呂に入ることができるようになり，支援できる日常生活の範囲の拡充効果は多大なるものがある．