KITE Research Rounds: Ultrasound Imaging Based Modeling and Control of Noninvasive Neuroprosthetics and Exoskeleton
Speaker: Dr. Nitin Sharma
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) imaging is an emerging sensing modality to control neuroprosthetics such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) and robotic assistive devices. US imaging has several advantages over a traditional sensing such as electromyography (EMG). US imaging allows direct visualization of the muscle activity, gets minimal interference from neighboring muscles, and is unaffected by stimulation artifacts. In this talk, I will present our recent work on US imaging for fatigue estimation in a real time hybrid neuroprosthetic system that combines FES with an exoskeleton, US + EMG-based algorithms for assist-as-needed control of an ankle exoskeleton, and US imaging-triggered tremor suppression in the wrist muscles.
Biography
Dr. Sharma is an Associate Professor in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at North Carolina State University- Raleigh and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. His research in hybrid exoskeletons and Tremor suppression is funded by NSF awards and NIH. His awards include NSF CAREER Award in 2018, IEEE Control Systems Technology Award 2019, and NIBIB Trailblazer Award in 2021.