Wearable Hybrid Sensor Array for Motor Cortex Monitoring

Abstract:

As part of the goal of developing wearable sensor technologies, we have designed and built a hybrid sensor headset for monitoring brain activity. Through the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), the sensor array is capable of monitoring neural activity across the primary motor cortex and wirelessly transmitting data to a computer for real-time processing to generate control signals, which are transmitted to wireless devices for various applications. This paper focuses on current results using this technology for artificial limb control and discusses the development of the headset as well as the neural networks employed for processing motor cortex activity and determining the user’s intentions. Initial results relevant to artificial limb control are presented and discussed, including the performance of the system when actuating an artificial limb with four degrees of freedom. Our headset provides a more natural control mechanism than traditional solutions, through the use of direct brain control. The technology resulting from this research is currently also being investigated for application in areas including phantom limb pain treatment, robotic arm control, general brain-computer interfaces, lie detection, and even a video game interface.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 85)
• Pages: 23-27
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AST.85.23
• Online since: September 2012
• Authors: Rahmat A. Shoureshi, Christopher M. Aasted
• Keywords: Artificial Limb Control, Electroencephalography (EEG), Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), Neural Network (NN)

References

[1] Aasted, Christopher M. "Direct Brain Control of Prosthesis." Master's Thesis, University of Denver, 2008.

[2] Shoureshi, Rahmat A., Aasted, Christopher M., Sarusi , Benjamin. "Non-invasive Hybrid Sensory System for Direct Brain Control of Artificial Limbs." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 Dynamic Systems and Control Conference, September 12-15, 2010, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

DOI: 10.1115/dscc2010-4183

[3] Aasted, Christopher M., Shoureshi, Rahmat A., Sarusi , Benjamin. "Adaptive Control and System Identification for Direct Brain Control of Artificial Limbs." 2011 American Control Conference, June 29-July 01, 2011, San Francisco, CA, USA.

DOI: 10.1109/acc.2011.5991524

[4] Aasted, Christopher M. "Hybrid Sensing and Adaptive Control for Direct Brain Actuation of Artificial Limbs." Doctoral Dissertation, University of Denver, 2011.