title: An implantable two channel drop foot stimulator: initial clinical results.
abstract: This article reports preliminary results of pilot studies of a new implantable two channel drop foot stimulator. The stimulator consists of an externally worn transmitter inductively coupled to an implanted receiver unit located in the lower leg, lateral and distal to the knee. The receiver is connected to electrodes located under the epineurium of the deep and the superficial peroneal nerves. Stimulation is triggered by detection of heel lift and terminated at heel strike in a manner similar to surface mounted systems. The location of the electrodes allows for a degree of selectivity over the resultant moment about the ankle joint that is not possible with surface stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. The two subjects used the stimulator on a regular basis and showed increases in walking speed of between 10% and 44% when compared to their baseline measurements. Isometric tests have demonstrated that the stimulator allows selective and repeatable stimulation of ankle joint muscles.
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development bv, Enschede, The Netherlands. l.p.j.kenney@salford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: Gerrit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bultstra
authors.forename: Rik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buschman
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Hermie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hermens
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holsheimer
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nene
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tenniglo
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van der Aa
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hobby
mesh_terms: D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking