Functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems for restoration of motor function of paralyzed muscles--versatile systems and a portable system

• Published in: Frontiers of medical and biological engineering Vol. 4; no. 4; p. 241
• Main Authors: Handa, Y, Handa, T, Ichie, M, Murakami, H, Hoshimiya, N, Ishikawa, S, Ohkubo, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 1992
• Subjects: Electric Stimulation Therapy; Humans; Male; Microcomputers; Quadriplegia - rehabilitation; Software; Software Design; Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation; Therapy, Computer-Assisted
• ISSN: 0921-3775

Multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems were developed to restore the motor functions of the paralyzed muscles, i.e. two kinds of versatile systems for laboratory use and a practical portable system were developed. The first microcomputer-based FES system was composed of an 8 bit microcomputer (PC-8801mkII) with a voice recognition board and 30 stimulation outputs, in which the voice commands were used for selecting a motion pattern, and for executing (start), (hold), (restart) and (stop) commands. In combination with the voice commands, a proportional control command detected from a head angle sensor was used for volitional control of motion. The second microcomputer-based FES system was composed of a 16 bit microcomputer (PC-9801 UV or compatible) with flexible control capabilities (e.g. respiratory sensors) for volitional control and with 64 stimulation outputs. An originally designed practical portable FES system was 89 x 145 x 31 mm in dimension and 380 g in weight. This paper describes the system configurations, the control methods of these FES systems and three examples of the clinical applications of the FES systems.