A blinking periorbital prosthesis using surface electromyographic signals of the orbicularis oculi muscle

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in human–machine interface technology have enabled the development of multifunctional, primarily orthopedic myoelectric prostheses. We developed a noninvasive blinking periorbital prosthesis that can synchronize with blinking of the intact eyelid by using surface electromyographic signals of the orbicularis oculi muscle. METHODS: Myoelectric potentials of the orbicularis oculi muscle while blinking were measured with surface electrodes on the eyelid in four healthy adults. Possible cross talk introduced via the electrodes was also measured and assessed to determine whether cross talk would affect surface electromyographic measurements while blinking. RESULTS: The amplitude of the surface myoelectric potential of the orbicularis oculi muscle was sufficiently high for the practical use of blinking prostheses. Our blinking model was successfully synchronized with blinks of the subjects’ eyelids under experimental conditions without cross talk between the orbicularis oculi muscle and other muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study revealed several problems, the use of surface electromyographic signals could be a promising and useful technique for synchronizing blinking of the prosthetic eyelid with blinking of the intact eyelid. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00238-015-1111-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.