Volitional EMG controller for powered knee prosthesis

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Prosthetics (A61F)

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

The USPTO published patent application US20260090900A1 for a volitional EMG controller system for powered knee prostheses, enabling users to climb stairs using signals from muscles like the biceps femoris. Inventors include Tommaso Lenzi, Suzi Creveling, and Lukas R. Gabert, with application filed October 15, 2025.

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What changed

The USPTO published patent application US20260090900A1 disclosing a prosthetic system with a powered knee upper leg prosthesis and a volitional controller. The controller uses EMG signals (such as from the biceps femoris muscle) activated by the user, combined with ground state signals and/or IMU signals, to determine target knee torque for operating the powered knee. The system is specifically configured to enable stair climbing.

Patent applications do not impose compliance deadlines or regulatory obligations on third parties. This is an informational publication describing a technical invention for EMG-controlled prosthetic knees. No action is required from manufacturers, healthcare providers, or other parties at this time. This document serves as prior art notice and establishes the priority date of October 15, 2025 for the disclosed invention.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

VOLITIONAL EMG CONTROLLER FOR A POWERED KNEE PROSTHESIS

Application US20260090900A1 Kind: A1 Apr 02, 2026

Inventors

Tommaso Lenzi, Suzi Creveling, Lukas R. Gabert

Abstract

Disclosed are prosthetic systems comprising a powered knee upper leg prosthesis and a volitional controller configured to provide control of the prosthesis to the user. The prosthetic system may be configured to enable a user to climb a set of stairs. The prosthetic system may be activated by the activation of an EMG signal source, such as the biceps femoris muscle of the upper leg. The volitional controller of the prosthetic system may be further configured to receive a ground state signal and/or an IMU signal to determine a target knee torque for operating the powered knee of the prosthesis.