System and method for therapeutic neuromuscular electrical stimulation
First Claim
1. A method for therapeutic contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation, comprising:
- sensing an intentional muscle contraction of a first body part through one or more sensors associated with a wearable article;
correlating the intentional muscle contraction of the first body part with a degree of electrical stimulation to be provided to a second homologous contralateral body part to the first body part; and
electrically stimulating the second body part at an intensity directly controlled by and solely a function of the sensed intentional muscle contraction of the first body part.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy includes one or more sensors for sensing the position or the muscle contractions of a body part, such as an arm, hand, finger, leg, etc.; a stimulator in communication with the sensor or sensors; and two or more electrodes that can be positioned to activate the paralyzed body part. Based on signals from the one or more sensors, the stimulator can regulate the stimulation provided through the electrodes, including the intensity and duration of the electrical stimulation signal. The sensors can be assembled in a wearable article, such as a glove, sock, or sleeve, to monitor the position or muscle contractions of the healthy body part. The electrodes also may be assembled in a wearable device that allows customized placement of those electrodes.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A method for therapeutic contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation, comprising:
-
sensing an intentional muscle contraction of a first body part through one or more sensors associated with a wearable article; correlating the intentional muscle contraction of the first body part with a degree of electrical stimulation to be provided to a second homologous contralateral body part to the first body part; and electrically stimulating the second body part at an intensity directly controlled by and solely a function of the sensed intentional muscle contraction of the first body part. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
-
-
2. A method for therapeutic contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation, comprising:
-
detecting a magnitude of an intentional muscle contraction of a muscle associated with a first body part through one or more sensors associated with a wearable article, where the muscle was intentionally contracted by performing a movement of the first body part; and electrically stimulating a second body part that is homologous and contralateral to the first body part, at an intensity corresponding to and solely determined by the magnitude of the intentional muscle contraction of the muscle associated with the first body part. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
-
Specification