일측 마비환자의 전기자극에 의한 보행기능의 회복

ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR THE RESTORATION OF GAIT FUNCTION IN HEMIPLEGIC PATIENTS

In order to restore the gait function by functional electrical stimulation(FES) in hemiplegic patients, an electrical stimulator and foot sensor were developed on the basis of optimal parameters which resulted from animal experiments. Physical properties of the soleus muscle were quite different from those of themedial gastrocnemius muscle, that is, the former had a characteristic or slow muscle and the letter had a characteristic of fast muscle in rats. Optimal parameters for electrical stimulation were 0.2ms of pulse width and 20Hz of frequency in the soleus muscle and 0.3ms, 40Hz in the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Amplitude modulated electrical stimulator with -15V of maximal output was made and automatic on-off time if the stimulator was 5 seconds. The foot sensor composed of 3 sensors in 3 pressure points of the foot was made in order to control the gai t function by closed loop feedback system. The gait function was improved by using the stimulator and foot sensor in peroneal palsy. These results suggest that the electrical stimulator with closed loop feedback system may restore the gait function in hemiplegic patients.