Experience in the Use of a Single Gyroscope as a Sensor for FES Foot Drop Correction

GHOUSSAYNI S. N.; CATALFAMO P.; MOSER D.; EWINS D. J.

Bournemouth, UK

Congreso; 9th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society and the 2nd Conference of FESnet. "Getting FES into clinical practice"; 2004

Salisbury Health Care

This paper reports on the experience of using a single Gyroscope (Gyro) as a sensor for a FES foot drop correction system. The work encompassed several stages of sensor development with the Gyro initially used to measure foot motion and to control stimulation. Later investigations positioned the Gyro on the shank, with the aim of developing a self-contained device with the stimulator, sensor and electrodes to be worn at the shank. In this paper we will summarize the work that has been undertaken and some of the more recent findings. The paper also presents some results from a study using a similar approach with cerebral palsy (CP) children using FES to correct toe walking. The results from both able-bodied and patients testing have been encouraging and progress is currently being made towards the development of a "take away" sensor system for patient use. This will allow for further patient testing outside the laboratory environment.