An electrode configuration technique using an electrode matrix arrangement for FES-based upper arm rehabilitation systems.

An upper limb electrical stimulation technique has been developed which features a novel self-configuration approach, to obtain an ideal wrist response from the patient. The system uses an analogue de-multiplexer in conjunction with an electrode matrix so that different electrode sites can be tested using only one channel of stimulation. A twin axis goniometer is attached to the patient's wrist and flex sensors are attached to the patient's fingers so that the control algorithm can assess the wrist response. A data acquisition unit logs the data for further analysis. A clinical investigation on healthy subjects was conducted to test the proposed system. The results show a high variation in hand response across different subjects. In addition, for all subjects tested an ideal response was found which shows some justification for the use of the proposed technique.

[1]  B. Bobath,et al.  Book Review: ‘Proceedings’ Put Emphasis on Treatment of Children: Abnormal Motor Behaviour: Abnormal Postural Reflex Activity Caused by Brain Lesions , 1972 .

[2]  Thierry Keller,et al.  Neuroprostheses for grasping , 2002, Neurological research.

[3]  A. Prochazka,et al.  The bionic glove: an electrical stimulator garment that provides controlled grasp and hand opening in quadriplegia. , 1997, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[4]  G. Müller,et al.  [Movement therapy in hemiplegia]. , 1977, Beitrage zur Orthopadie und Traumatologie.

[5]  J R Wolpaw,et al.  Therapeutic neural effects of electrical stimulation. , 1996, IEEE transactions on rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[6]  B. Bobath.  Adult hemiplegia: Evaluation and treatment , 1978 .

[7]  Maarten Joost IJzerman,et al.  The NESS handmaster orthosis: restoration of hand function in C5 and stroke patients by means of electrical stimulation , 1996 .

[8]  M. Popovic,et al.  Clinical evaluation of the bionic glove. , 1999, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[9]  Robert Herbert,et al.  Splinting the hand in the functional position after brain impairment: a randomized, controlled trial. , 2003, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[10]  M R Popovic,et al.  Surface-stimulation technology for grasping and walking neuroprosthesis. , 2001, IEEE engineering in medicine and biology magazine : the quarterly magazine of the Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society.

[11]  John Fletcher Farrell,et al.  The effects of the functional tone management (FTM) arm training program on upper extremity motor control on chronic post-stroke individuals , 2003 .

[12]  Dennis D. Roscoe,et al.  An Externally Powered, Multichannel, Implantable Stimulator for Versatile Control of Paralyzed Muscle , 1987, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[13]  Maarten J. IJzerman,et al.  Therapeutic electrical stimulation to improve motor control and functional abilities of the upper extremity after stroke: a systematic review , 2002, Clinical rehabilitation.

[14]  Karen M. Södring,et al.  Upper extremity orthoses for stroke patients , 1980, International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation.

[15]  S C Gandevia,et al.  Short-term effects of dynamic lycra splints on upper limb in hemiplegic patients. , 2000, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[16]  A. Behrman,et al.  Chronic motor dysfunction after stroke: recovering wrist and finger extension by electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation. , 2000, Stroke.