Tremor suppression using functional electrical stimulation: a comparison between digital and analog controllers

Author

Gillard, D.M. ; Cameron, Taylor ; Prochazka, A. ; Gauthier, M.J.A.

Author_Institution

Div. of Neurosci., Alberta Univ., Edmonton, Alta.

Volume

7

Issue

3

fYear

1999

fDate

9/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

385

Lastpage

388

Abstract

In this study, we compared digital and analog versions of a functional electrical stimulator designed to suppress tremor. The device was based on a closed-loop control system designed to attenuate movements in the tremor frequency range, without significantly affecting slower, voluntary movements. Testing of the digital filter was done on three patients with Parkinsonian tremor and the results compared to those of a functional electrical stimulation device based on an analog filter evaluated in a previous study. Additional testing of both the analog and digital filters was done on three subjects with no neurological impairment performing tremor-like movements and slow voluntary movements. We found that the digital controller provided a mean attenuation of 84%, compared to 65% for the analog controller

Keywords

biocontrol; closed loop systems; controllers; digital control; digital filters; force feedback; frequency response; neuromuscular stimulation; transfer functions; Parkinsonian tremor; analog controllers; analog filter; closed-loop control system; digital controllers; digital filter; displacement sensor; feedback; functional electrical stimulation; linear model; mean attenuation; open loop frequency response; slow voluntary movements; transfer function; tremor suppression; tremor-like movements; Attenuation; Control systems; Digital control; Digital filters; Frequency; Medical simulation; Muscles; Neuromuscular stimulation; Performance evaluation; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Rehabilitation Engineering, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1063-6528

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/86.788474

Filename

788474