Miniature Generator Power for Advanced Prostheses

The capabilities of current prostheses are substantially limited by the lack of suitable high energy density portable power. Specifically, current myoelectric prostheses utilize rechargeable batteries, which provide typically less than 10% of the daily energy required for typical activities of daily living. Such limitations in the energy source significantly limit the utility of these prostheses, and impede the motivation for addressing other shortcomings such as number of degrees of freedom and power output. Aerodyne Research, Inc. (ARI) and Vanderbilt University propose to address this need for high energy density power for prosthetic device by developing powered prostheses using ARI’s miniature internal combustion engine (MICE) generator for the electric power source. A MICE-generator-powered myoelectric prosthesis could provide power for a full day of activities using a single 50 cc cartridge of butane, representing a vast improvement over current prostheses. In this proposed Phase I program, the operation of a MICE generator at the nominal power output level required for transfemoral and transhumeral prostheses will be demonstrated. Also, the power requirements for transfemoral and transhumeral prostheses will be characterized, and conceptual designs for these prostheses will be developed based on a MICE generator power source.