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Modified implanted drop foot stimulator system with graphical user interface for customised stimulation pulse-width

T O'Halloran¹, M Haugland, G M Lyons

¹Biomedical Electronics Laboratory, University of Limerick, Ireland. thomas.ohalloran@ul.ie

Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing

|December 23, 2003

Summary

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A new implanted drop foot stimulator allows customized, phase-specific electrical stimulation during walking. This advanced device enhances ankle movement in hemiplegic patients by modulating pulse-width, improving gait biomechanics.

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Rehabilitation Technology
Neuroprosthetics

Background:

Drop foot, a common impairment after stroke, affects gait and mobility.
Existing drop foot stimulators offer limited adaptability to individual gait phases and biomechanical needs.
Cyclic modulation of stimulation parameters is crucial for optimizing functional electrical stimulation (FES) during gait.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and evaluate a modified implanted drop foot stimulator capable of cyclic modulation of stimulation pulse-width during gait.
To enable personalized stimulation profiles tailored to individual gait cycles and biomechanical demands.
To improve ankle dorsiflexion during gait in individuals with hemiplegia.

Main Methods:

A four-channel, 12-polar cuff electrode system was utilized for stimulation delivery.

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The stimulator allowed pulse-width modulation (0-255 microseconds) on two channels throughout swing and stance phases.

A user-friendly LabVIEW interface enabled clinicians to define custom stimulation profiles (100 values) downloaded to the device.

Main Results:

The system successfully modulated stimulation pulse-width, increasing it by 150% at 5% of the gait cycle prior to heel strike.
Evaluation on a hemiplegic subject demonstrated a 5-degree increase in ankle angle at heel strike.
The device allowed for individualized stimulation intensity adjustments across different gait phases.

Conclusions:

The developed drop foot stimulator architecture effectively supports individualized, phase-specific stimulation.
Cyclic pulse-width modulation enhances ankle kinematics during gait in hemiplegic individuals.
This technology holds promise for improving gait function and mobility in neurological populations.