A Computer-Controlled Multichannel Stimulation System for Laboratory Use in Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation

Laboratory instrumentation systems for developing functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) orthoses must be flexible in command processing and in multichannel stimulus control and coordination. For research and development of new FNS systems to control the musculoskeletal function of disabled individuals, we have developed a computer-controlled multichannel stimulation system. This system both processes patient generated input commands delivered from a variety of sources, and coordinates the multichannel stimulation to achieve the desired movement. The flexibility provided by this system has proven to be of great value in both upper and lower extremity FNS.