Functional electrical stimulation devices and systems and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation. In another example, each path comprises a respective charging element and a respective activation switch, wherein each respective charging element is charged by the voltage supply and discharged upon activation of the respective activation switch to generate positive and negative current pulses respectively, such that a pulse rise time of the positive and negative current pulses is predominantly dictated by a switching speed of each respective switch. Systems and uses for these devices, and FES in general, are also described.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to electrical stimulation, and in particular to functional electrical stimulation devices and systems. Background technique [0002] The general principle of functional electrical stimulation (FES) is derived from the physiological process of nerve and muscle excitation. These excitations are the result of action potentials (APs) occurring in vivo, at the neuronal level. AP is a messenger signal of the nervous system. They occur in nervous system tissues in response to stimuli that may be natural or man-made. In the case of FES, these stimuli are electrical charge pulses. Depending on the magnitude, duration and frequency of these stimuli, they can induce excitation in different tissues. FES therapy utilizes these excitatory pulses to treat patients with defects in different regions of the body. Due to the complexity of generating APs, artificial electrical stimulation pulses capable of generating these APs may requi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Another disadvantage of the predominantly used current source based devices is their signal slew rate, which is significantly less than that of voltage mode systems, thereby causing further power loss and making the therapy more uncomfortable

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