Updated: December 3, 2015
Lauren Smith
CBC Scholar: Class of 2014
MD/PhD Candidate (Medical Scientist Training Program), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University
Advisors: Todd Kuiken and Levi Hargrove
CENTER FOR BIONIC MEDICINE WEBPAGE
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My research focuses on improving the control of myoelectric upper limb prostheses. Current control methods limit patients to moving prosthesis joints sequentially, i.e. one at a time. My research focuses on providing simultaneous control of prosthesis joints. Though clinically used myoelectric prostheses use electromyogram (EMG) signals recorded from the skin surface, my research investigates the potential of using intramuscularly recorded EMG for providing simultaneous control. Intramuscular EMG has a variety of properties that differ from surface EMG, and has substantial potential for use in simultaneous control algorithms. Additionally, many laboratories are currently developing long-term implantable recording devices, which may make intramuscular EMG a clinically available signal source in the near future.
PUBLICATIONS:
Smith LH, Kuiken TA, Hargrove LJ. Use of probabilistic weights to enhance linear regression myoelectric control. J Neural Eng. 2015 Nov 23;12(6):066030. [Epub ahead of print] (PubMed)
Smith L, Kuiken T, Hargrove L. Evaluation of linear regression simultaneous myoelectric control using intramuscular EMG. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2015 Aug 20. [Epub ahead of print] (PubMed)
Smith L, Kuiken T, Hargrove L. Linear regression using intramuscular EMG for simultaneous myoelectric control of a wrist and hand system. Neural Engineering (NER), 7th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on. 2015 Apr 22-24. Pp. 619-22. (ieee.org)
Smith L, Kuiken T, Hargrove L. Myoelectric control system and task-specific characteristics affect voluntary use of simultaneous control. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2015 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print] (PubMed)
Cheesborough JE, Smith LH, Kuiken TA, Dumanian GA. Targeted muscle reinnervation and advanced prosthetic arms. Semin Plast Surg. 2015 Feb;29(1):62-72. (PubMed)
Smith LH, Kuiken TA, Hargrove LJ. Real-time simultaneous and proportional myoelectric control using intramuscular EMG. J Neural Eng. 2014 Nov 14;11(6):066013. [Epub ahead of print] (PubMed)
Tkach DC, Young AJ, Smith LH, Rouse EJ, Hargrove LJ. Real-time and offline performance of pattern recognition myoelectric control using a generic electrode grid with targeted muscle reinnervation patients. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. (in press)
Young AJ, Smith LH, Rouse EJ, Hargrove LJ. A comparison of the real-time controllability of pattern recognition to conventional myoelectric control for discrete and simultaneous movements. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2014 Jan 10;11(1):5. (PubMed)
Li Y, Smith LH, Hargrove LJ, Weber DJ, Loeb GE. Sparse optimal motor estimation (SOME) for extracting commands for prosthetic limbs. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2013 Jan;21(1):104-11. (PubMed)
Smith LH, Hargrove LJ. Comparison of surface and intramuscular EMG pattern recognition for simultaneous wrist/hand motion classification. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2013;2013:4223-6. (PubMed)
Smith LH, Hargrove LJ. Intramuscular EMG after targeted muscle reinnervation for pattern recognition control of myoelectric prostheses. 2013 6th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER). pp.1155,1158, 6-8 Nov. 2013. (ieeexplore)
Young AJ, Smith LH, Rouse EJ, Hargrove LJ. Classification of simultaneous movements using surface EMG pattern recognition. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2013 May;60(5):1250-8. (PubMed)
Li Y, Smith LH, Hargrove LJ, Weber DJ, Loeb GE. Estimation of excitatory drive from sparse motoneuron sampling. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2012;2012:3628-31. (PubMed)
Tkach DC, Young AJ, Smith LH, Hargrove LJ. Performance of pattern recognition myoelectric control using a generic electrode grid with targeted muscle reinnervation patients. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2012;2012:4319-23. (PubMed)
Young AJ, Smith LH, Rouse EJ, Hargrove LJ. A new hierarchical approach for simultaneous control of multi-joint powered prostheses. 2012 4th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob). pp.514,520, 24-27 June 2012. (ieeexplore)
Smith LH, Hargrove LJ, Lock BA, Kuiken TA. Determining the optimal window length for pattern recognition-based myoelectric control: balancing the competing effects of classification error and controller delay. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2011 Apr;19(2):186-92. (PubMed)
AWARDS:
- Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC) Scholar (2014-2015)
- Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowship Finalist (2013)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH): National Research Service Award (F31) (2013)
- Student Paper Competition Finalist, Symposium on Problems at the Neural Interface (2013)
- Northwestern University Applied Research Day: 1st place poster, 3rd place oral presentation (2012)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Medical Research Fellows Program (2011)
- Northwestern University Medical Student Summer Research Program Symposium Award (2010)
- Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovation Technology Prize for Primary Healthcare: Finalist (2009)
- National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance BMEidea: 2nd place (2008)
- Northwestern University Ovid W. Eshbach Award for Outstanding Scholarship and Leadership (2008)
- Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society (2007)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
- BME 306, Biomedical Signals Analysis – Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University Department of Biomedical Engineering (Winter 2014)
- Science of the Senses – Guest Lecturer, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Fall 203)
SERVICE:
- Girls 4 Science – Volunteer Mentor and Member of Organizing Sub-Committee (2013-Present)
- Community Health Clinic – Senior Medical Student Volunteer (2012-Present)
- Chicago Youth Programs – Tutor (2008-2010)