Title: A portable neuroprosthesis for applications in gait rehabilitations with stroke patients

Authors: Sukanta K. Sabut, Chanda Sikdar, Priyanka Singh, Ratnesh Kumar, M. Manjunatha

Addresses: School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302, India. ' National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, B.T. Road Bon-Hoogly, Kolkata, 700090, India. ' National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, B.T. Road Bon-Hoogly, Kolkata, 700090, India. ' National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, B.T. Road Bon-Hoogly, Kolkata, 700090, India. ' School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302, India

Abstract: Neuroprosthesis (NP) is an emerging rehabilitation technique for replacing a function that is lost because of injury or disease of the central nervous system (CNS). A new, micro-controller-based portable neuromuscular stimulation device for drop-foot correction and other assistive applications has been developed with low cost. The portable stimulator features fully programmable, constant current, single-channel stimulation system. Rectangular stimulation intensity envelope algorithms are provided for drop foot correction and for other assistive applications. The effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been investigated in chronic hemiplegia. The reported benefits has shown, a significant reduction in physiological cost index (PCI), increasing walking speed, increasing step length, cadence, and reduction in composite spasticity score, accompanied by an increase in electromyogram analysis in the FES therapy group.

Keywords: portable neuroprosthesis; drop-foot; chronic hemiplegia; functional electrical stimulation; spasticity; gait rehabilitation; stroke patients; central nervous system; CNS; neuromuscular stimulation; physiological cost index; walking speed; step length; cadence; electromyogram analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2011.041236

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2011 Vol.3 No.2, pp.156 - 166

Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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