FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR FOOT DROP
The most effective treatments for foot-drop is functional electrical stimulation (FES). Foot-drop (or dorsiflexor weakness) results from stroke or other conditions and injuries such as brain trauma or an incomplete paralysis. It prevents patients from lifting their feet and toes properly during walk
2025-06-28 16:32:42 - Adil Khan
FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR FOOT DROP
Project Area of Specialization Artificial IntelligenceProject SummaryThe most effective treatments for foot-drop is functional electrical stimulation (FES). Foot-drop (or dorsiflexor weakness) results from stroke or other conditions and injuries such as brain trauma or an incomplete paralysis. It prevents patients from lifting their feet and toes properly during walking, affecting their general mobility and risk of falling. As a result, the patients are reluctant to walk a long distance and their quality of life and confidence can be negatively affected. FES uses electrical impulse to the common peroneal nerve in order to elicit the desired muscle contraction. In recent years, commercially available sensor-based wearable FES systems for foot drop have been released. Because these systems just detect gait events using simple pressure sensor or tilt sensor, they cannot provide a personalized electrical stimulation for more effective treatment.
If the FES system can analyze the patient's gait pattern by collecting data from not only the affected side but also the no affected side, personalized electrical stimulation can be provided according to his or her own gait pattern. The design of an ankle-foot orthosis for gait training, which assists the foot-drop patient’s ankle dorsiflexion during gait through plantar pressure-based electrical stimulation is proposed.
Project Objectivesa) To analyze the response of the disabled leg to different intensities of stimulating currents.
b) To design a circuit with an EMG sensing and transmitter circuit for sending the timing signal to the disabled leg for synchronization.
c)To design a stimulation circuit for the disabled leg, properly timed with the signal received from the healthy leg.
Project Implementation Methoda) In the first stage an FES circuit would be designed, built and calibrated for proper stimulus current pulse generation.
b) In the second stage a microcontroller based EMG sensing, processing and transmission circuit shall be developed and tested separately.
c) The final stage consists of integrating the complete system and testing.
Benefits of the Projecta) The project would have direct benefit to foot-drop patients. In the absence of such a device the patients are vulnerable to life threatening fall. With the development of this design of an ankle-foot orthosis for gait training, which assists the foot-drop patient’s ankle dorsiflexion during gait through electrical stimulation.
b) The system would give the students an opportunity to work in the area of biomedical field.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableAn Electromyogram (EMG) sensing circuit attached to the healthy leg of a patient. The signal after processing, is converted into timing pulses that are transmitted to the stimulating circuit worn on the leg having foot drop and diseased foot is dorsiflexed with proper timing during walk.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry HealthOther IndustriesCore Technology Artificial Intelligence(AI)Other Technologies Wearables and ImplantablesSustainable Development GoalsRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 80000 | |||
| FES device With Box Case Red White / 16G Sd Card / 5V apping System | Equipment | 1 | 70000 | 70000 |
| EMG device With Box Case Red White / 16G Sd Card / 5V | Miscellaneous | 1 | 10000 | 10000 |