Submit Abstract for Poster and/or Flash Talk

Program Schedule

Prof. Claudio Castellini

ProfessorFAU Erlangen

High-density myocontrol: Do we really need it? Is it a breakthrough?

In this talk, Prof. Claudio Castellini will introduce the workshop topic, providing a comprehensive overview of high-density myocontrol. He will explore what is meant by high-density myocontrol, discussing its feasibility and desirability. Prof. Castellini will offer perspectives on the current state and future potential of this technology. His insights will help set the stage for the workshop, guiding discussions on the implications and advancements in high-density bio-signal detection and its applications in rehabilitation and assistive robotics.

Prof. Claudio Castellini is a distinguished researcher in the field of medical robotics, specializing in rehabilitation and assistive robotics, human-machine interfaces, and applied machine learning. He obtained his degree in Electronic (Biomedical) Engineering from the University of Genoa in 1998 and completed his Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (Mathematical Logic) at the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics in 2005. Following his Ph.D., he focused on robotics for the disabled, spending 4.5 years as a post-doctoral fellow at the Advanced Robotics Laboratory of the University of Genoa. In 2009, he joined the German Aerospace Center as a senior researcher at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics. In 2021, he was appointed full professor of Assistive Intelligent Robotics at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. Prof. Castellini has (co)authored around 150 scientific papers and is actively involved in several research projects and international editorial boards and committees.

Prof. Honghai Liu

ProfessorUniversity of Portsmouth, England

Ultrasound for prosthetic control

To be announced soon.

Honghai Liu received his Ph.D. in intelligent robotics from King’s College London, UK. He is currently a Professor at the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China, and a Chair Professor of Human–Machine Systems at the University of Portsmouth, UK. He has previously held research positions at King’s College London and the University of Aberdeen, as well as project leader roles in the industrial control and system integration sectors. His research interests span biomechatronics, pattern recognition, intelligent video analytics, and intelligent robotics, with a focus on medical systems and the intelligent connection of perception to action using contextual information. Professor Liu has authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and serves as an Associate Editor for several IEEE Transactions. He is a Fellow of both the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Prof. Siddhartha Sikdar

ProfessorGeorge Mason University, USA

Wearable ultrasound: future avenues beyond prosthetics

In this talk, Prof. Siddhartha Sikdar will provide an overview of recent advances in wearable ultrasound technology. Prof. Sikdar will offer perspectives on the current state, future potential, as well as open challenges for the application of wearable ultrasound technology to assistive robotics and rehabilitation.

Siddhartha Sikdar is a professor in the Department of Bioengineering at George Mason University and Director of the Center for Adaptive Systems of Brain-Body Interactions (CASBBI). CASBBI aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through research on human movement and behavior. Sikdar's group conducts translational research using imaging to study brain-body interactions in clinical conditions like chronic pain, stroke, and spinal cord injury. They develop advanced ultrasound and laser techniques, including wearable sensors for controlling prosthetics. Sikdar earned his PhD from the University of Washington in 2005 and has received numerous awards. His research is funded by NSF, NIH, DoD, and the VA.

Prof. Dario Farina

ProfessorImperial College, London

Motor unit decomposition with high resolution EMG and SMG interfaces

To be announced soon.

Professor Farina has been Full Professor at Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark, (until 2010) and at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Germany, where he founded and directed the Institute of Neurorehabilitation Systems (2010-2016) until he moved to Imperial College London as Chair in Neurorehabilitation Engineering. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, neurorehabilitation technology, and neural control of movement. Within these areas, he has (co)-authored approximately 400 papers in peer-reviewed Journals and >500 conference abstract and papers. He has been the President of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK) (2012-2014) and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the official Journal of this Society, the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. He is also currently an Editor for IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering and the Journal of Physiology, and previously covered editorial roles in several other Journals.

Prof. Alessandro Del Vecchio

ProfessorUniversity of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany

Efficient bidirectional connection between spared motor neurons and computers

In this talk, Prof. Del Vecchio will discuss innovative methods and propose solutions to establish a new sensorimotor communication pathway between spared spinal motor neurons and computers. He will demonstrate how advanced software algorithms can read the motor output of the spinal cord, enabling paralyzed patients to control motor neuron activity even many years after paralysis. This breakthrough can elicit significant motor adaptations, offering new hope and possibilities for individuals with paralysis.

Prof. Alessandro Del Vecchio is a distinguished expert in the field of neural control of motor units. He completed his PhD at the University of Rome “Foro Italico,” where he specialized in the neural control of motor unit ensembles. Following his PhD, he undertook a three-year postdoctoral position at Imperial College London, focusing on spinal motor neurons and translational activities. Prof. Del Vecchio has conducted extensive research on motor unit control across diverse subjects, including neonates, monkeys, healthy adults, and individuals with paralyzed muscles. He is a prolific author with over 60 scientific papers and has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field.

Prof. Nitin Sharma

ProfessorNorth Carolina State University, USA University of North Carolina, USA

Algorithms for exoskeleton control using ultrasound and EMG fusion approaches

In this talk, Dr. Sharma will discuss the challenges and solutions in robotic therapies aimed at improving limb function for individuals with neurological disorders. A significant issue in these therapies is accurately measuring the voluntary strength of limb muscles, as current sensing techniques often struggle to eliminate interference from neighboring muscles. This can result in improper robotic assistance, which may hinder functional recovery and increase the risk of falls during robot-assisted walking. Dr. Sharma will present a novel approach that fuses ultrasound (US) imaging with electromyography (EMG) to better predict volitional strength during walking. Ultrasound imaging provides direct visualization and measurement of muscle activity, significantly reducing interference from adjacent muscles. This fusion of US and EMG lays the foundation for advanced intent detection algorithms in rehabilitation therapies, utilizing non-invasive wearable ultrasound sensors to monitor and control muscle activity in individuals with neurological disorders.

Prof. Nitin Sharma is an Associate Professor in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at North Carolina State University-Raleigh and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. His research focuses on hybrid exoskeletons and tremor suppression, with funding from prestigious institutions such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Sharma has received several notable awards, including the NSF CAREER Award in 2018, the IEEE Control Systems Technology Award in 2019, and the NIBIB Trailblazer Award in 2021.

Gyorgy Levay

Infinite Biomedical Technologies, USA

Designing complex myocontrol systems for end-users

In this talk, Gyorgy Levay will address the complexities introduced by advanced mathematical and engineering concepts in upper-limb prosthetic control systems. As these systems become more sophisticated, they can become increasingly difficult for end users, including both practitioners and amputees, to understand and adapt to. Levay will emphasize the importance of improving user experiences through intuitive visualizations, clear explanations, and accessible parameterization options for control systems such as pattern recognition. By enhancing the user interface, these tools can provide users with not only better experiences but also improved outcomes. Levay will demonstrate various user-interface tools designed to facilitate these improvements, highlighting their impact on end-user satisfaction and functionality.

Gyorgy Levay is a prominent figure in the field of upper limb prosthesis technology. He works with Infinite Biomedical Technologies, a US-based company specializing in prosthetic components, and serves as a project lead at Szechenyi Istvan University. Originally from Hungary, Levay's life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when he contracted bacterial meningitis, resulting in quadrilateral amputations. His rehabilitation journey sparked a deep interest in assistive technologies. Levay earned his Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University on a Fulbright scholarship. His research focused on machine learning-based control algorithms and digital signal processing strategies for upper-limb prostheses. Today, he continues to innovate in the field, with a strong emphasis on developing technologies that meet the needs of end users.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse