Neuromuscular electrical stimulation system with supplementary external skeleton

Abstract

The invention discloses a neuromuscular electrical stimulation system with supplementary external skeleton. The system comprises an electric stimulator for stimulating the movement of the limb muscles, and an external skeleton for restricting the excessive movement of the limbs. The external skeleton comprises an upper body fixing frame, a lower limb external skeleton and a damping controller for limiting the flexion angle of the limb. The lower limb external skeleton is connected to the lower end of the upper body fixing frame, and the damping controller is arranged at the joint of the lower limb external skeleton. The electric stimulator and the external skeleton cooperate to restrict patients with hemiplegia from falling off due to their excessive movement in recovery trainings, therefore, making the recovery training more secure and reliable.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of medical devices, in particular to a neuromuscular electrical stimulation system with an auxiliary exoskeleton. [0002] technical background [0003] After brain injury or lower limb peripheral nerve injury, during the walking cycle, when one side of the lower limb is taking a step, the other side of the lower limb needs to provide a stable support, but the hemiplegic lower limb of the brain injury cannot provide a stable support, resulting in the patient's hemiplegic lower limb during walking training The support phase is shortened, and the patient is prone to fall. At present, stimulators or orthotics are often used for rehabilitation treatment. Electrical stimulation commonly used external current stimulates nerves and muscles to induce muscle movements. In order to complete functional activities, a certain frequency is generally used. For electrical stimulation, before starting work, fix the stimulation frequenc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0003] After brain injury or lower limb peripheral nerve injury, during the walking cycle, when one side of the lower limb is taking a step, the other side of the lower limb needs to provide a stable support, but the hemiplegic lower limb of the brain injury cannot provide a stable support, resulting in the patient's hemiplegic lower limb during walking training The support phase is shortened, and the patient is prone to fall. At present, stimulators or orthotics are often used for rehabilitation treatment. Electrical stimulation commonly used external current stimulates nerves and muscles to induce muscle movements. In order to complete functional activities, a certain frequency is generally used. For electrical stimulation, before starting work, fix the stimulation frequency at 35-50Hz, and adjust the stimulation intensity until joint movement can be generated

This stimulation mode can complete the movement of the joint; but because the moment arm changes dynamically with the angle of joint rotation during the movement of the joint, the electrical stimulation intensity for muscle contraction must be greater than or equal to the force at the minimum moment arm, resulting in electrical stimulation The strength is too large in most of the joint movement process, so the patient is prone to fatigue; at the same time, the speed of the movement is uncontrollable due to the excessive torque, the stability of the joint movement decreases, and the patient has the risk of falling; at the same time, when the affected lower limb In the absence of effective weight bearing, this electrical stimulation cannot be used while walking, only in bed

When patients with spinal cord injury try to use the above equipment, because they cannot effectively bear weight, the range of use is severely limited, and they can only produce movements in the supine position, and cannot effectively walk.

However, the existing joints of orthotics for spinal cord injury, brain injury, and peripheral nerve injury are rigidly connected, and there are only two states, open or closed, which is closed when walking, and controlled by a drawstring when the patient needs to sit. Open, joint flexion; if open when walking, the patient will be unable to complete the joint load due to insufficient muscle strength, joint stability decreases

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