A portable closed-loop control system for restoration of function to the paralysed hand by transcutaneous electrical stimulation
A portable closed-loop control system for restoration of function to the paralysed hand by transcutaneous electrical stimulation
A close-fitting and instrumental glove has been developed to provide force feedback to a microprocessor controlled stimulator. Pulsewidth modulation, in increments of 0.5μs, is used to vary the recruitment of the flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum for opening and closing of the fingers. Adductor pollicus is also stimulated to facilitate grasping and oppose the fingers. The multi-channel stimulator uses a programmable timer integrated circuit which is controlled by a microprocessor executing a compiled C program.
The stimulator has been fitted to one tetraplegic subject enabling him to manipulate everyday objects. Sensors on the glove reduce the control input required by the user by automatically regulating the stimulation to give the desired gripping force. Surface stimulation is used since it provides a low cost entry to the field of Functional Electrical Stimulation grip restoration without committing the subject to undergo the extensive surgery required for implanted systems.
The sensors employed are thin plastic membrane force sensitive resistors. Five sensors of 12 mm diameter are attached to the inside surface of the glove (between skin and glove material). An angle sensor based on optical techniques was developed and this will be useful for future work in extending the range of grips.
University of Southampton
1996
Crook, Steven Eric
(1996)
A portable closed-loop control system for restoration of function to the paralysed hand by transcutaneous electrical stimulation.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
A close-fitting and instrumental glove has been developed to provide force feedback to a microprocessor controlled stimulator. Pulsewidth modulation, in increments of 0.5μs, is used to vary the recruitment of the flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum for opening and closing of the fingers. Adductor pollicus is also stimulated to facilitate grasping and oppose the fingers. The multi-channel stimulator uses a programmable timer integrated circuit which is controlled by a microprocessor executing a compiled C program.
The stimulator has been fitted to one tetraplegic subject enabling him to manipulate everyday objects. Sensors on the glove reduce the control input required by the user by automatically regulating the stimulation to give the desired gripping force. Surface stimulation is used since it provides a low cost entry to the field of Functional Electrical Stimulation grip restoration without committing the subject to undergo the extensive surgery required for implanted systems.
The sensors employed are thin plastic membrane force sensitive resistors. Five sensors of 12 mm diameter are attached to the inside surface of the glove (between skin and glove material). An angle sensor based on optical techniques was developed and this will be useful for future work in extending the range of grips.
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Published date: 1996
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 459403
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/459403
PURE UUID: 74c1ff4e-d57c-42e0-ad09-128fa13c7c0b
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 17:09
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 17:09
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Author:
Steven Eric Crook
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