Title :
Electrode characterization for functional application to upper extremity FNS
Author :
Kilgore, Kevin L. ; Peckham, P. Hunter ; Keith, Michael W. ; Thrope, Geoffrey B.
Author_Institution :
Case Western Univ., Cleveland, OH, USA
Abstract :
A quantitative method has been developed to characterize the isometric vectors of electrically simulated paralyzed muscles of the thumb. The vectorial force output as a function of the stimulus level was measured for individual electrode/muscle combinations in a number of intramuscular and epimysial electrodes implanted in paralyzed thenar of cervical-level spinal-cord-injury subjects. Vectors were used to determine the output characteristics of each electrode/muscle combination. The characteristics studied included the strength of the contraction, the stimulus level at which fibers from other muscles are stimulated, the recruitment gain of force, dependency of the output on the skeletal position, and the direction of force produced.
Keywords :
bioelectric phenomena; electrodes; muscle; neurophysiology; orthotics; cervical-level spinal-cord-injury; electrically simulated paralyzed muscles; electrode characterisation; electrode/muscle combinations; epimysial electrodes; functional neuromuscular stimulation; intramuscular electrodes; isometric vectors; muscle contraction strength; paralyzed thenar; skeletal position; stimulus level; thumb; thumb muscles; upper extremity FNS; vectorial force output; Biomedical engineering; Electrodes; Extremities; Force measurement; Hospitals; Muscles; Orthopedic surgery; Recruitment; Spinal cord injury; Thumb; Electric Stimulation; Electrodes; Equipment Design; Humans; Isometric Contraction; Neuromuscular Junction; Neurophysiology; Quadriplegia; Synaptic Transmission; Thumb;
Journal_Title :
Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on
