Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive transdermal apparatus for measuring complex impedance of body tissue. The apparatus comprises: at least two electrodes coupled, in use, to the surface of the skin; a signal source to deliver an electrical potential to the electrodes; a monitor to detect changes in the signal passing through body tissue between the electrodes; and a processor operatively coupled to the signal source and monitor and configured to: use the signal source to apply a potential to the electrodes to reduce the electrical impedance of the stratum corneum; and use the monitor to measure complex transdermal impedance AC signals corresponding to ? and ? dispersion spectra.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing information on at least one muscle in a patient, which apparatus comprises: (i) signal providing means for providing measurement-enabling signals for the muscle; (ii) first contact electrodes for enabling the measurement-enabling signals from the signal providing means to be received by the patient; (iii) measurement means for measuring a parameter of the muscle, the parameter being such that it is affected by the measurement-enabling signals, and the parameter being such that it relates to at least one electrical property that is indicative of changes in tissue impedance caused by movement of the muscle; and (iv) a garment which is for being worn over the muscle in the patient and which comprises an array of separate electrically conducting areas. The apparatus optionally includes neuromuscular stimulator means for providing neuromuscular stimulation signals for the muscle.

Abstract: A controller is provided for a functional electrical stimulator for attachment to a leg comprising, a connector for a foot switch for sensing foot rise or foot strike, a circuit for responding to said foot switch for generating stimulation pulses and a connector for first and second electrodes for attachment to the leg for supplying stimulation pulses from said circuit The circuit includes a voltage divider of which the foot switch when connected comprises one element, a second element being provided by a digital potentiometer forming part of the controller. A micro controller is configured to make adaptive adjustment of the resistance of said digital potentiometer to take account of the resistance characteristics of the foot switch to provide an output or reference voltage permitting an open/closed state of the switch to be monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for providing information on at least one muscle (4) in a patient (6), which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) signal providing means (8) for providing measurement-enabling signals for the muscle (4); (ii) first contact electrodes (10) for enabling the measurement-enabling signals from the signal providing means to be received by the patient (6); (iii) measurement means (12) for measuring a parameter of the muscle (4), the parameter being such that it is affected by the measurement-enabling signals, and the parameter being such that it relates to at least one electrical property that is indicative of changes in tissue impedance caused by movement of the muscle (4); and (iv) a garment (14) which is for being worn over the muscle (4) in the patient (6) and which comprises an array (16) of separate electrically conducting areas (18), and the apparatus (2) being such that the first contact electrodes (10) are able to be positioned on the garment (14) at a predetermined precise position for obtaining the

Abstract: A controller is provided for a functional electrical stimulator for attachment to a leg comprising, a connector for a foot switch for sensing foot rise or foot strike, a circuit for responding to said foot switch for generating stimulation pulses and a connector for first and second electrodes for attachment to the leg for supplying stimulation pulses from said circuit The circuit includes a voltage divider of which the foot switch when connected comprises one element, a second element being provided by a digital potentiometer forming part of the controller. A micro controller is configured to make adaptive adjustment of the resistance of said digital potentiometer to take account of the resistance characteristics of the foot switch to provide an output or reference voltage permitting an open/closed state of the switch to be monitored.