A system is described that assists C5-6 quadriplegics in using their hands and wrists to perform simple tasks such as feeding, grooming, telephone operation, and computer-assisted typing. The system is actuated by the user's voice and controlled by a personal computer. Stimuli applied by surface electrodes evoke contractions of the paralyzed forearm muscles. Initially, subjects undergo a period of electrically induced exercise to combat disuse atrophy. A removable plastic cuff containing several electrode pairs located above selected motor points is then made for each patient to facilitate consistent electrode placement. A pilot study is underway to evaluate the utility and patient acceptance of the setup.
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