[Chicago] ACM Chicago December Presentation on Neural - Computer interfaces: The Bionic Arm

[Marc Temkin]

This information is also on the Chapter website at: 
http://www.acm.org/chapters/chicago
 
  The next meeting of the Chicago Chapter is: 
 
         Neural - Computer interfaces:
              "The Bionic Arm"
    
  Presented by: Dr. He (Helen) Huang
    of the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs (NECAL), a
    research program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago 
 
       Wednesday, December 12, 2007
 
  5:30 p.m. Social Hour, Dinner Buffet & Refreshments
  6:30 p.m. Presentation  
 
  Hosted by: Roosevelt University
  18 South Michigan Ave, Gage Gallery - located on the first floor
 
Cost:  
  $10 Chapter members
  $12 Non-members
  $ 5 Students 
 
TOPIC ABSTRACT:
  The Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs (NECAL) is a
  research program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago based
  on over 20 years of research.  The goal of the NECAL is to improve
  function and quality of life for people who have suffered limb
  loss. Currently, individuals who have undergone amputation are
  only able to operate one motion at a time with myoelectric
  prostheses.   
 
  The NECAL laboratory is currently experimenting with the use of
  "targeted muscle reinnervation" to improve myoelectric prosthesis
  function.  With this technique, amputated nerves are transferred
  to spare muscle and skin in an amputee's residual limb.  The
  nerves grow into the muscle to provide additional control signals
  for the operation of a prosthesis.  This allows patients to
  control multiple functions in their prosthesis at the same time in
  an easier, more natural manner.  "Sensory reinnervation" also
  takes place following the targeted reinnervation procedure; the
  patient feels touch to the reinnervated skin as being applied to
  their missing limb.  This may allow the amputee to actually "feel"
  what they are touching with a prosthetic hand.  
 
  Through these studies, NECAL is working to develop a
  state-of-the-art prosthesis that includes shoulder, elbow, wrist
  and hand components, as well as haptic interfaces to provide the
  sense of touch.  
 
  These current Bionic Arms are highly dependent on microprocessor
  controllers and advanced control algorithms. Computer Scientists
  have played key roles in the research and development of the
  underlying systems that control and run the arms. Advancements in
  our field keep changing the mechanics, in turn, means the embedded
  systems, firmware, and software of the arms will always need
  special attention.  
 
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: 
  He (Helen) Huang was born in Beijing, China. She received a B.S.
  from the School of Electronic and Information Engineering at Xi´an
  Jiao-Tong University, China in 2000 and a M.S. and Ph.D. degree
  from the Harrington Department of Bioengineering, Arizona State
  University in 2002 and 2006, respectively. She is currently a
  research associate in the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial
  Limbs at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He Huang´s
  primary research interests include design of neuroprostheses,
  modeling and analysis of neuromuscular control of movement in
  normal and neurologically disordered humans, development of
  intelligent and adaptive control systems for therapeutic robots
  and prostheses, and understanding the neurophysiologic mechanisms
  of spinal cord stimulation on restoring the ambulation of spinal
  cord injured patients. Her specialties lie in signal and image
  processing, machine learning, adaptive control, biomechanical
  modeling, and motion analysis.   
 
  He Huang has been awarded the Globe Foundation fellowship,
  outstanding research assistant (ASU), XEROX fellowship (XEROX
  Corp, Shenzhen, China), and fellowship from Chief Justice of Hong
  Kong. She is a member of the IEEE Medicine and Biology Society,
  the Biomedical Engineering Society, and the Society for
  Neuroscience.  
 

RESERVATIONS
  Note: Please make your reservation as soon as you know you are
  coming. We need a headcount for the food, as we order it in
  advance.  Even if it is last-minute, reserve anyway. Thanks. 
 
  Make your meeting reservation by replying to this e-mail
  ( greg at neumarke.net ) You may also call Greg at (work) 773-907-3308 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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