Development of swing phase relearning device

摘要

The aim of the paper is to present development and use of the functional electrical stimulation (FES) gait reeducation system in swing phase rehabilitation of the incomplete spinal cord injured persons. The proposed system consists of four accelerometers, gyro placed at the shank of the parenic leg and two goniometers, placed in knee and ankle joint. The data assessed from sensors present input into mathematical algorithms applied for swing quality estimation that equals to a single numerical value. This value is divided in three level output to determine the state of cognitive feedback (CF). Each level defines the swing quality in terms of good, sufficient and poor and is provided to the pat ent as an auditory signal. A single channel peroneal FES was applied to provide the needed assistance to the patient. The assistance was provided only to the level that enabled the patient to perform a swing. The automatic FES control was handled by personal computer. Regarding to the quality of the performed swings the intensity of FES was increased (pre-set number of consecutive poor swings) or decreased (pre-set number of consecutive good swings), forcing the patient to voluntary contribute to swing improvement.