Jacob Segil

The functional assessment of myoelectric

control algorithms by persons with amputation promotes

the overarching goal of the field of prosthetic limb design:

to replace what was lost. However, many studies use

experimental paradigms with virtual interfaces and ablebodied

subjects that do not capture the challenges of

a clinical implementation with an amputee population.

A myoelectric control system must be robust to variable

physiology, loading effects of the prosthesis on the limb,

and limb position effects during dynamic tasks. Here

persons with transradial limb loss performed activities of

daily living using a postural controller and multi-functional

prosthetic hand in order to verify that the postural controller

was robust to these clinical challenges.

Biomechatronics Development Laboratory | University of Colorado at Boulder

Inventor and Chief Scientist

For my doctoral dissertation, I developed a novel myoelectric control algorithm that allows for continuous control of the hand posture including all necessary postures used in activities of daily living.  This controller compared favorably to the available commercial controllers as well as state-of-the-art research algorithms. 

Patents

J. L. Segil, R. F. Weir, (2013): Systems and Methods for Postural Control Of A Multi-Function Prosthesis. United States Provisional Patent 61830504 06-03-2013

Publications

[1]  J. L. Segil and R. F. Weir. “Design and Validation of a Morphing Myoelectric Hand Posture Controller Based on Principal Component Analysis of Human Grasping.” Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, IEEE Transactions On (in press). May 2013.

[2]  J. L. Segil and R.F. Weir “A Novel Architecture for a Postural Controller of Multi-functional Myoelectric Prosthetic Hands.” (in submission).

We present a novel multi-modal tactile sensor which consists of an infrared proximity sensor and a barometric pressure sensor embedded in an elastomer layer with potential use in prosthetic devices. Signals from both sensors are fused to measure proximity (0-10mm), contact (0N), force (0-50N) and localize impact at five spatial locations and three angles of incidence.

Current designs of prosthetic limbs are limited by the nearly exclusive use of DC motor technology. The use of soft actuators promises new design freedom to create prosthetic limbs which more closely mimic intact neuromuscular systems. This work evaluates the performance of a first-generation hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) soft actuator for use in a prosthetic hand.

Biomechatronics Development Laboratory | University of Colorado

Chief Scientist

This work enabled simultaneous direct control of four degrees of freedom of a myoelectric prosthetic hand for the first time.  With my collaborators from the BioRobotics Institute at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy, I devised the control system and performed the empirical research and analysis.

Publications

[1] C. Cipriani, J. L. Segil, J. A. Birdwell, and R. F. Weir. “Dexterous Control of a Prosthetic Hand Using Fine-wire Intramuscular Electrodes in Targeted Extrinsic Muscles.” (in submission).

Discrete Event Sensory Feedback During Teleoperation of a Prosthetic Hand

Biomechatronics Development Laboratory | University of Colorado

Chief Scientist

Artificial sensory feedback schemes can provide users of prosthetic hands with the sense of touch.  Here I implemented a novel sensory feedback scheme using vibrotactile stimulation during teleoperation of a prosthetic hand with our collaborators from the BioRobotics Institute at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy. 

Publications

[1] C. Cipriani, J. L. Segil, F. Clemente, R. F. Weir, and B. Edin. “Discrete Event Sensory Feedback During Teleoperation of a Prosthetic Hand.” (in submission).

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Chief Mechanical Engineer

The UNB Multi-function Prosthetic Hand produced a commercially viable prosthesis with novel mechanical design mechanisms.  I designed and prototyped the mechanical drive systems including a coupled differential transmission and a cam-based linkage system.

Publications

[1] Mechanical Design of a Multifunction Hand Prosthesis System - The UNB Hand A. Clawson, J. L. Segil, B. Jones, P. Kyberd, Y. Losier, and R. F.Weir International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) World Congress 2010 (Congress Lecture 3287)

[2] The UNB Hand - Multifunction Hand Prosthesis System P. Kyberd, A. Clawson, B. Jones, Y. Losier, A. Wilson, K. Englehart, J. L. Segil, and R. F. Weir International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) World Congress 2010

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Mechanical Designer | 2-Motor Finger team

The objective of the DARPA Revolutionizing Prosthetics Project was to engineer the most advanced prosthetic arm including the recreation of the speed, strength, size, and mobility of the human arm.  I joined the 2-Motor Finger team to design mechanically compliant elements and manage CAD files of the various designs.