Brain-controlled muscle stimulation for the restoration of motor function

Paralysis, often from spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular disorders, significantly impairs daily life and burdens society economically. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) offers a way to restore some movement by using electrical stimulation to contract paralyzed muscles. Current FES systems require pre-programmed stimulation patterns, usually triggered by the patient's residual voluntary movement. Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) offer the potential for more precise control by using signals recorded from the motor cortex, allowing patients to control FES continuously with their thoughts. While BMIs have been successfully used to control computer cursors and robotic limbs, their application for FES control is still limited. Combining FES and BMI technologies could provide paralyzed individuals with important new options for regaining motor function.

• 1
  FES can improve muscle strength, range of motion, and potentially reduce spasticity, leading to benefits like improved cardiopulmonary function, bone strengthening, and pressure sore relief.
• 2
  Brain-controlled FES, particularly using intracortical recordings, holds promise for providing high-dimensional control signals necessary for dexterous movements, especially for patients with high-level spinal cord injuries.
• 3
  Direct decoding of muscle activity from the motor cortex (M1) offers potential advantages, allowing for control of movement dynamics, interaction forces, and resulting movement in a more natural manner.