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Incorporating volitional effort in hybrid FES
Student(en):

 Betreuer:

Nguyen Robert, Micera Silvestro
Beschreibung:

Introduction

A number of rehabilitation technologies have been developed to improve walking function in gait impaired individuals, such as spinal cord injury and stroke patients. One is a robotic gait orthosis designed to provide automated treadmill training, such as the Lokomat. The device can provide body weight support and guide leg motions based on force sensors. Another technology is functional electrical stimulation (FES), which has also been shown to improve function by coordinating artificial activation of otherwise paralyzed muscles.

Although both technologies have shown to be effective, the two can be combined to overcome disadvantages of any single device. For example, the Lokomat on its own provides only passive movements of limbs. The use of FES during training would allow active muscle contractions that are important for the rehabilitation process. Furthermore, the Lokomat would allow FES training in a safely controlled environment that also reduces therapist effort.

Objectives

The objective of this project is to integrate FES and Lokomat gait therapies by incorporating volitional effort of the participant. Pre-existing methods that do not take into account volitional effort will be modified so that only the minimal amount of electrical stimulation is delivered to accomplish the task. Within this context, the feasibility of EMG to predict volitional movement will be assessed. Testing will be performed on intact individuals and, time permitting, stroke patients in the Lokomat system. Part of the project work may be optionally conducted at an external clinic, which will require travelling.

Weitere Informationen

Professor:

Manfred Morari
Projektcharakteristik:

Typ:
Art der Arbeit:
  • 40% Development
  • 20% Theory
  • 40% Experimentation

Voraussetzungen:
  • Experience working with electronic hardware
  • Some programming ability
  • Independent, creative and self disciplined
  • Professional when interacting with clinicians and patients
  • Basic understanding of neuromuscular physiology preferred, but not necessary
  • Optional travel for some experiments
Anzahl StudentInnen: 1
Status: open
Projektstart: Spring Semester 2013
Semester: Spring Semester 2013