Measuring myoelectric potential patterns based on two-dimensional signal transmission technology

In this paper, we propose a new man-machine interface which measures two-dimensional patterns of myoelectric potentials from a surface of a forearm. Measuring high (tensity 2D patterns of the myoelectric signals makes it possible to predict the movements of one's fingers and forearm before a limb actually moves. The key issue is the wiring to each electrode for realizing such a device that covers whole area of the forearm with high density electrode array. The wires also constrain the motion of the forearm. To solve this problem, we adopt a Two Dimensional Communication (TDC) sheet as a substitution for the individual wires. Electrical power is also supplied through the TDC sheet to each sensor by microwave as well as the signal. Based on this technology, we show that small sensing units without electrical contacts to the TDC sheet can measure the EMG signal free from the common mode noise.