Computerized electronic prosthesis apparatus and method

A method of controlling the operation of an electronic prosthesis apparatus relative to the particular capabilities and requirements of a particular wearer and providing feedback signals to the wearer relative to the prosthesis operation comprising the steps of:

• providing an articulated prosthesis to be worn by a living being as a replacement for an amputated limb and capable of exerting a mechanical force, said prosthesis including programmable microcomputer means connected with a power supply and having a microprocessor, memory, input/output circuitry for receiving signals and producing an output drive signal and an output vibratory signal, signal processing means, drivers, and controllers;
• providing electrode means on said prosthesis operatively connected with said microcomputer which contact certain muscles of the remnant portion of the limb to produce an electric command signal responsive to a myoelectric signal created by the wearer contracting and relaxing certain muscles in the remnant portion;
• setting threshold voltage points at which said microcomputer will acknowledge a valid electric command signal while eliminating nuisance activations due to movement or environmental noise and storing the setting in said microcomputer memory;
• providing drive means in said prosthesis operatively connected with said microcomputer for causing said prosthesis to exert a mechanical force responsive and proportional to said electric command signal;
• setting the speed of said drive means and the value of said mechanical force exerted by said prosthesis relative to the intensity of the myoelectric signal generated by the wearer and storing the setting in said microcomputer memory;
• providing sensor means on said prosthesis operatively connected with said microcomputer for detecting the mechanical force exerted by said prosthesis and producing an electric sensor signal responsive and proportional thereto;
• setting the threshold voltage points at which said microcomputer will acknowledge a valid electric sensor signal and storing the setting in said microcomputer memory;
• providing vibratory means on said prosthesis operatively connected with said microcomputer and adapted to engage the remnant portion of the limb adjacent sensory nerve endings in the skin of the remnant portion and transmit vibrations having frequency, amplitude, and modulation characteristics which stimulate the nerve endings to produce a feedback signal perceptible to the wearer which is responsive to and indicative of the mechanical force exerted;
• setting the operating values of the frequency, amplitude, and modulation characteristics of said vibrations and storing the operating values in said microcomputer memory;
• configuring said microcomputer to receive said electric command signal and, responsive to a valid electric command signal, to produce an output drive signal to operate said drive means to cause said prosthesis to exert a mechanical force relative to the intensity of the myoelectric signal generated by the wearer;
• configuring said microcomputer to receive and monitor said sensor signal and upon said sensor signal exceeding said threshold voltage points to produce an output vibratory signal to cause said vibratory means to transmit vibrations such that upon said microcomputer receiving a valid said electric command signal, said microcomputer produces an output drive signal to operate said drive means to cause said prosthesis to exert a mechanical force relative to the intensity of the myoelectric signal generated by the wearer, and upon said microcomputer receiving a sensor signal exceeding said threshold voltage points, said microcomputer produces an output vibratory signal causing said vibratory means to transmit vibrations which stimulate the nerve endings to produce feedback signals perceptible to the wearer which are indicative of the mechanical force being exerted;
• providing a communication port on said prosthesis operatively connected with said microcomputer and adapted to be releasably connected to peripheral devices for exchanging data, monitoring, diagnosing, adjusting, correcting, or setting the operational parameters of said prosthesis;
• providing for a modem adapted for connection to a telephone and said communications port for data communication between said microcomputer in said prosthesis and a local or remote computer, whereby the wearer can call the manufacturer of said prosthesis, connect said modem into the telephone line and said communication port on said prosthesis, and the manufacturer can then communicate directly with said microcomputer in said prosthesis via telephone to perform diagnostic tests, determine where and if there is a problem or a power failure, and correct problems via the telephone by making corrections to the operating parameters of said prosthesis.