FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL THERAPY SYSTEM (FETS)

摘要

The Functional Electrical Therapy System (FETS) relates to an apparatus and the method of its application for recovery of upper limb functioning in humans with sensory-motor lesion in the central nervous system having impact to reaching and grasping. The recovery is contributed by 1) the electrical stimulation of efferent nerves that augment and/or generate missing functions of the upper limb, 2) electrically induced strong input to the central nervous system via afferent nerves, 3) intensive exercise by the same paretic upper limb, and 4) increased awareness of being able to accomplish the task. The methods comprise the use of the novel apparatus that provides missing or diminished functions of the upper limb during intensive daily exercise of performing typical daily activities that requires these functions. The FETS consists of a multi-channel stimulator, set of surface electrodes, and the novel controller that mimics spatial and timing synergies of muscle activation found in able-bodied subjects when performing functional tasks.