Proposal of bioinstrumentation using shape deformation of amputated upper limb.

Some upper limb amputees have been annually supplied with myoelectric prostheses by social rehabilitation promotion services. However, the persons supplied with the prostheses have been limited because a supply system has not been established yet. Accordingly, we propose a new bioinstrumentation using the shape deformation of the amputated upper limbs without using the myoelectricity generated on the skin of the upper limbs. The repeatability is superior to the myoelectricity because the shape deformation is directly measured by strain gages and also the cost is much superior to the myoelectricity.