A smart demonstration unit for upper-limb myoelectric prostheses

Demonstration unit devices are designed and built for the CPO (Certified Prosthetist Orthotist) to illustrate the functionalities of robotic hands to patients without the need for a prosthetic socket. Demonstration units are also of invaluable importance during the calibration and learning stages, which are preparatory for the final adoption of a prosthesis. This paper presents a smart demo unit (SDU) developed for Adam's Hand, a robotic underactuated prosthesis proposed by BionIT Labs. It serves as a prosthetic sleeve that powers the robotic hand and gathers the electromyographic commands from the user. The details of the SDU are presented in terms of hardware and firmware, devoting special attention to the electromechanical interface with the robotic hand and the patient or CPO. The advantages of the system over existing alternatives are discussed, showing that the proposed SDU can be a valuable tool in the field of extremity upper limb prosthetics.