A portable system for closed loop control of the paralysed hand using functional electrical stimulation.
A portable and closed-loop system is described for the paralysed hand using transcutaneous electrical stimulation. It is implemented using a modest microprocessor which receives data from force sensors mounted in a glove on the users hand. A display shows parameter values and a menu for the user to sequentially select controller states. For the grip state, the control loop is basically proportional plus a two stage integral response (gain adaptation). Eight channels can be accommodated in the stimulator. The system was evaluated with the help of a tetraplegic who managed to hold everyday objects in a stable grip.
Crook
S E
SE
Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Salisbury District Hospital, UK.
Chappell
P H
PH
D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012984:Software; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods