Dr. Chappell

Myoelectric prosthetic hands have been the subject of nearly 100 years of research, yet are still nowhere near the dexterity or grasping function of the human hand they seek to replace. Problems such as high rejection rates, widespread user dissatisfaction, and poor access to technology are as prevalent as ever, and improvements can be made in every aspect of prosthetic hand control. In this talk, we will look at methods of improving user control of these hands from a user-centric perspective, exploring virtual reality training, EMG control algorithms, sensory feedback, and the design of myoelectric hands themselves.

Biography:

Digby Chappell is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioengineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, where he is currently the technical lead on a multi-institutional translational project between Harvard University and Boston University to develop neuroprosthetic technology for gait rehabilitation of adults after stroke. Prior to this, Digby obtained his PhD from Imperial College London, where his research focused on improving the control of myoelectric prosthetic hands from a user-centered perspective, and his Masters from the University of Cambridge, where he worked on wearable muscle activity sensors.

Address:United States