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  4. Post-Paralysis Upper Facial Movement Restoration in Real Time using Soft Actuators
 
conference paper

Post-Paralysis Upper Facial Movement Restoration in Real Time using Soft Actuators

Konstantinidi, Stefania Maria Aliki  
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Tankwa, Baptiste Marc  
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De Menech, Quentin Philippe Mario  
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2024
Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBS
46 International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

Facial paralysis is a challenging condition, and current treatments rely on invasive transplant surgeries using a two-stage free muscle transfer procedure. The use of artificial muscles is a novel, less invasive approach, allowing faster recovery and more cost-effective treatment. This paper aims at presenting the use of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs), a recent type of smart materials, for post-paralysis upper facial reanimation, by introducing an eyebrow raising muscular prosthesis actuated in real time. The prosthesis aims at replacing the frontalis muscle responsible for raising the eyebrows, a vital function for the expression of emotions and non verbal communication. The facial muscles and neural interfaces governing upper facial eyebrow movements are studied in order to implement a realistic and anatomically precise setup. A non-invasive neural interface relying on myoelectric signals is then successfully used to achieve real-time control of the actuator, by synchronizing the actuator with the activity of a healthy muscle.

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