Adaptive multichannel FES neuroprosthesis with learning control and automatic gait assessment

This research focuses on creating a neuroprosthesis that uses functional electrical stimulation (FES) to help people with spinal cord injuries walk better. It adapts to each person's unique walking style by learning from their previous steps. The system continuously assesses the knee and foot joint angles during each step, compares them to a healthy gait pattern, and adjusts the electrical stimulation to support the muscles needed for walking. The goal is to provide real-time feedback and assistance, helping individuals achieve a more natural and efficient walking motion. The neuroprosthesis stimulates antagonistic muscle pairs for knee flexion and extension, as well as for ankle joint dorsi- and plantarflexion during all gait phases.

• 1
  The proposed neuroprosthesis was able to generate individually fitted stimulation patterns for three of the participants with incomplete SCI.
• 2
  For two of the three remaining participants, a slight improvement in the average foot angles could be observed.
• 3
  For one participant slight improvements in the averaged knee angles could be observed; improvements where in the range of 4° at the times of peak dorsiflexion, peak plantarflexion, or peak knee flexion.