Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system (30) for moving at least a portion of a body of a subject (12), such as their legs (13, 13a). The system is adapted to monitor its performance and/or the outcome of the provision of stimulation to the subject (12) and assess whether the body portion is showing evidence of fatigue. The system (30) comprises a stimulator (35) that can provide a plurality of sets of functional electrical stimulation to the legs, one or more transducers (60, 61) that outputs signals representative of the movement made by the legs in response to the functional electrical stimulation provided thereto, and a control means (32). The control means (32) receives and processes the signals output by the transducers (60, 61) and includes a comparator adapted to compare the output signals of the transducers resulting from the provision of two or more substantially equivalent sets of electrical stimulation to the legs and provide an output indicative of variation in the movement.

Abstract: An exercise system (10) for exercising at least one limb, such as the legs, of a subject with spinal cord injury or deficiency. The system (10) comprises an exercise bicycle (20) having a crank (17) and pedals (16) to which the feet of the subject can be mounted, and a functional electrical stimulation (FES) system (30). The FES system (30) stimulates the muscles of the legs and includes a transducer (51) mountable to at least one of the legs of the subject (12) that outputs signals representative of the position and/or movement of the leg when performing the exercise. The FES system (30) further includes a control means that receives and processes the signals output by the transducer (51) and outputs control signals to a stimulator (35) that through electrodes (53) provides electrical stimulation to the legs of the subject (12) so as to cause the legs to drive the crank (17) of the bicycle (20).

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system (30) for controlling the movement of a portion of a body of a subject (12), such as the subject's legs. The system (30) comprises a sensor (60) that in one arrangement is mountable to a portion of the subjects' body other than the legs, for example the torso (14). In another arrangement, the sensor (60) can be mountable to a walking aid, such as a crutch (20). The sensor (60) outputs signals representative of the position and/or movement of the torso (14) or walking aid (20). The system (30) also comprises a control means (32) that receives and processes the signals output by the sensor (60) and outputs control signals to a stimulator (35) adapted to provide electrical stimulation to the legs via electrodes (53) in response to the position and/or movement of the torso (14) or walking aid (20) as determined by the sensor (60).

Abstract: A multi-purpose, implantable stimulator for use in an FES system includes a housing, implantable into a patient's body. The housing contains a receiving device and a control unit, the control unit receiving signals from the receiving device which, in turn, receives signals transcutaneously from a controller arranged externally of the patient's body. A plurality of leads extend from the housing, the leads being arranged in separate bundles of discrete leads, each bundle being associated with a particular site of the patient's body.

Abstract: A multi-purpose FES system includes a multi-function, implantable stimulator for stimulating different sites in a patient's body. The stimulator includes a control unit and a receiving device. The stimulator further has a plurality of bundles of electric leads connected to the control unit, each lead terminating in at least one electrode to provide a plurality of discrete groups of electrodes associated with each site. Each group of electrodes is operable to stimulate its associated site in the patient's body, under the action of stimulation signals from the control unit, the control unit receiving signals from the receiving device. A transmitter is arranged externally of the patient's body for supplying signals transcutaneously to the receiving device of the stimulator. A controller is in communication with the transmitter via a communications interface unit.