Multichannel surface electromyography classification based on muscular synergy.

With the aim to control a multiple degrees of freedom electromechanical devices, e.g., assistive robots, powered wheelchair, etc.

Surface electromyogram signals classification based on bispectrum.

This paper bispectrum is used to classify human arm movements and control a robotic arm based on upper limb's surface electromyogram signals (sEMG). We use bispectrum based on third-order cumulant to parameterize sEMG signals and classify elbow flexion and extension, forearm pronation and supination, and rest states by an artificial neural network (ANN). Finally, a robotic manipulator is controlled based on classification and parameters extracted from the signals.

SLAM algorithm applied to robotics assistance for navigation in unknown environments.

Background: The combination of robotic tools with assistance technology determines a slightly explored area of applications and advantages for disability or elder people in their daily tasks. Autonomous motorized wheelchair navigation inside an environment, behaviour based control of orthopaedic arms or user's preference learning from a friendly interface are some examples of this new field. In this paper, a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm is implemented to allow the environmental learning by a mobile robot while its navigation is governed by electromyographic signals.

Robust EMG sensing system based on data fusion for myoelectric control of a robotic arm.

Background: Myoelectric control of a robotic manipulator may be disturbed by failures due to disconnected electrodes, interface impedance changes caused by movements, problems in the recording channel and other various noise sources. To correct these problems, this paper presents two fusing techniques, Variance Weighted Average (VWA) and Decentralized Kalman Filter (DKF), both based on the myoelectric signal variance as selecting criterion.

Methods: Tested in five volunteers, a redundant arrangement was obtained with two pairs of electrodes for each recording channel.

[Chronobiological study of free thyroid hormones in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid subjects].

Previous reports demonstrate a circadian rhythm of the free thyroid hormones in healthy subjects. In this study we evaluated circadian variation of FT3 and FT4 in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid states. We considered six hyperthyroid patients, six hypothyroid patients and six control subjects.