Identification and EMG signature discrimination for posture mapping in real-time for controlling stimulation in paraplegics

The paper discusses the real-time realization of EMG signature identification for posture mapping of the upper trunk of a paraplegic as is required for controlling electrical stimulation of his/her lower limb nerves to facilitate walker-supported walking [1]. The above method has been applied by the authors to 4 complete upper motorneuron paraplegics, with spinal cord lesions at levels T5/6 to T11/12. The purpose of the above approach is to provide naturally-controlled walking capabilities to such paraplegics, rather than using hand switches which are unnatural and, diverting the patient´s concentration from his above-lesion posture (see Figure 1 and 2). For adequate control of the stimulating channel, complete posture mapping, i.e., signature identifications and control decisions, must be made in less than 0.3 seconds, else, smooth walking is hampered which in turn affects the patient´s balance.