Neuromuscular Functional Electrical Stimulation

Keith Stegath is a member of the Nonlinear Controls & Robotics group. Here he is participating in their lab’s research on functional electrical stimulation (FES) at the University of Florida. Shown is the NCR Stimulator version 1.0, a proof of concept machine.

Challenges

Modeling human skeletal muscles

Modeling human skeletal muscles

Controlling muscles while minimizing fatigue

Emerging Research Targets

Develop controllers for reduced fatigue and adaptability to patient

Develop experimental stimulator that allows the study and modulation of pulse width, frequency, and shape as well as voltages.

Conversion to Digital	Proof of concept – conversion of a commercial stimulator
NCR Stimulator V1.0	Pulse parameters controlled via lookup table
NCR Stimulator V1.1	Pulse parameters controlled via polynomials
NCR Stimulator V1.2	Pulse parameters controlled via hardware and software
NCR Stimulator V 2.0	Pulse parameters controlled via hardware and software with a decrease in pulse width to 100 microseconds

Develop experimental cell that allows for the study of both isometric and non-isometric contraction of the human quadriceps muscle

System Development

Peripherals For Interfacing

Mechanical Equipment Development

Experimental Results

Computer and Operating System

E-Mail

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