Use of the Case Western Reserve/Veterans Administration Neuroprosthesis for Exercise, Standing and Transfers by a Paraplegic Subject
By Forrest, George P.; Smith, Thomas C.; Triolo, Ronald J.; Gagnon, Jason; DiRisio, Darryl; Miller, Michael E.; Rhodi, Lori; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Volume 7, Number 4, pages 340-344Publication Date: 2012
Paper reports the outcome in terms of standing tolerance, distance of ambulation, and energy consumption of a paraplegic patient who was a recipient of the Case Western Reserve/Veterans Administration (CWRU/VA) neuroprosthesis. The CWRU/VA neuroprosthesis is described as consisting of an external control unit worn on a belt, a coupling coil taped onto the skin of the abdomen, a receiver-stimulator sewn between the skin of the abdominal wall and the abdominal fascia, and 8 electrodes delivering functional electric stimulation (FES) that are sewn onto the motor points of the target muscles. When turned on, the control unit sends radiofrequency waves that are transmitted through the coupling coil to the receiver-stimulator, which is programmed to supply each muscle with enough current to effect full contraction of the muscle. The CWRU/VA was tested with a recipient with T6 ASIA B paraplegia aged 47 years and with a body mass index of 31.2, which is considered overweight. The patient was able to stand for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. He could walk 35 feet with a swing to gait at a speed of 5.8 meters per minute. Measurement of energy consumption showed that metabolic demand was only 2.1 metabolic equivalent units. Factors limiting the use of the device noted that need improvement to make the technology practical for household or community ambulation include speed of ambulation and fatigue of the stimulated muscles.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
Link to text: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2011.629328
