摘要 |
A functional electrical stimulation system (30) for moving at least a portio n of a body of a subject (12), such as their legs (13, 13a). The system is adapted to monitor its performance and/or the outcome of the provision of stimulation to the subject (12) and assess whether the body portion is showi ng evidence of fatigue. The system (30) comprises a stimulator (35) that can provide a plurality of sets of functional electrical stimulation to the legs , one or more transducers (60, 61) that outputs signals representative of the movement made by the legs in response to the functional electrical stimulati on provided thereto, and a control means (32). The control means (32) receives and processes the signals output by the transducers (60, 61) and includes a comparator adapted to compare the output signals of the transducers resultin g from the provision of two or more substantially equivalent sets of electrica l stimulation to the legs and provide an output indicative of variation in the movement. The comparator of the control means (32) can also compare the leve l of electrical stimulation output by the stimulator (35) to achieve an equivalent movement of the legs. An increase in stimulation to achieve such equivalent can be interpreted by the control means as indicative of fatigue in the musclesof the legs.
|