Abstract: Signal processing apparatus (1) for measuring hand joint movement comprising a plurality of markers (5) located at particular positions on a hand (20) and further comprising monitoring apparatus (10) to monitor movement of the markers to obtain dynamic positional information of the markers, and the apparatus further comprising a processor (12) to process the positional information to determine hand joint movement, wherein the processor configured to use the positional information of the markers to determine planes associated with respective groups of markers, wherein the processor configured to determine a first plane and a second plane, said planes adjacent to a hand joint, the first plane is substantially determined by a respective group of markers, and the processor configured to determine the second plane by reference to the first plane and the processor further configured to determine a change in angle between the two planes as a result of hand joint movement.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O2 content, physical position, electrical potential, etc.