GARMENT FOR APPLYING CONTROLLED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TO RESTORE MOTOR FUNCTION

摘要

A non-invasive self-contained functional electrical stimulation garment is disclosed. The garment, which is preferably in the form of a glove, may be donned in one piece by a user of reduced motor ability e.g. a person exhibiting hand tremors or who is a quadriplegic, paraplegic or hemiplegic. The garment is preferably made of a perforated elastic material and being adapted to fit over a part of said user's body. The garment has electrical connections internal to the garment that are adapted to make electrical contact with self-adhesive skin electrodes on the user. A joint movement sensor and a battery-driven electronic controller-stimulator located on the garment, with the electrical connections, sensor and controller-stimulator being electrically and cooperatively interconnected. In the form of a glove, the garment can permit a user of reduced motor ability to grip objects.