Wise Young
09-27-2001, 10:57 AM
Hand Grasp and Release for C5 and C6 Quadriplegic Individuals
Principal Investigators: P. Hunter Peckham, Ph.D., Michael W. Keith, M.D., Kevin L. Kilgore, Ph.D.
Target population: Persons with C5 and C6 level spinal cord injury
Project Abstract
The objective of this project is to provide grasp and release for individuals with C5 and C6 level spinal cord injuries. Coordinated electrical stimulation of paralyzed forearm and hand muscles is used to provide lateral (key pinch) and palmar grasp patterns. Patients obtain proportional control of grasp opening and closing by voluntary movement of either the shoulder or wrist. An external transducer (testing is beginning on an implanted version) is mounted on the chest to measure shoulder motion; or on the dorsum of the wrist to measure wrist flexion/extension. The control signal is sent to an external control unit, which converts the signal into the appropriate stimulation signals for each electrode. These signals are sent across an inductive link to an implanted stimulator receiver, which generates the stimulus to the appropriate electrode. Seven epimysial electrodes, sewn onto the muscle surface through surgical exposure, are used for muscle excitation. Sensory feedback regarding the control state is provided through an eighth implanted electrode placed in an area of normal sensation. The electrode leads are tunnelled subcutaneously to the implanted stimulator located in the pectoral region. Surgical procedures to enhance both voluntary and stimulated hand function are often performed in conjunction with stimulator implantation. At the end of 1996, more than 50 quadriplegic individuals have received an implanted hand grasp neuroprosthesis at more than a dozen sites around the world. Patients have demonstrated the ability to grasp and release objects and to perform activities of daily living more independently when using the neuroprosthesis. Patients utilize the device at home on a regular basis. The clinical trial is now coordinated by NeuroControl Corp. of Cleveland.
Project Sponsors:
MetroHealth Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (prior sponsor) and National Institutes of Health Neural Prosthesis Program (prior sponsor)
For more information contact:
Kevin Kilgore, Ph.D.
Rehabilitation Engineering Center,Hamann 601
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, OH 44109-1998
(216)459-3801 (216)459-4259 FAX
Email: kkilgore@metrohealth.org
Principal Investigators: P. Hunter Peckham, Ph.D., Michael W. Keith, M.D., Kevin L. Kilgore, Ph.D.
Target population: Persons with C5 and C6 level spinal cord injury
Project Abstract
The objective of this project is to provide grasp and release for individuals with C5 and C6 level spinal cord injuries. Coordinated electrical stimulation of paralyzed forearm and hand muscles is used to provide lateral (key pinch) and palmar grasp patterns. Patients obtain proportional control of grasp opening and closing by voluntary movement of either the shoulder or wrist. An external transducer (testing is beginning on an implanted version) is mounted on the chest to measure shoulder motion; or on the dorsum of the wrist to measure wrist flexion/extension. The control signal is sent to an external control unit, which converts the signal into the appropriate stimulation signals for each electrode. These signals are sent across an inductive link to an implanted stimulator receiver, which generates the stimulus to the appropriate electrode. Seven epimysial electrodes, sewn onto the muscle surface through surgical exposure, are used for muscle excitation. Sensory feedback regarding the control state is provided through an eighth implanted electrode placed in an area of normal sensation. The electrode leads are tunnelled subcutaneously to the implanted stimulator located in the pectoral region. Surgical procedures to enhance both voluntary and stimulated hand function are often performed in conjunction with stimulator implantation. At the end of 1996, more than 50 quadriplegic individuals have received an implanted hand grasp neuroprosthesis at more than a dozen sites around the world. Patients have demonstrated the ability to grasp and release objects and to perform activities of daily living more independently when using the neuroprosthesis. Patients utilize the device at home on a regular basis. The clinical trial is now coordinated by NeuroControl Corp. of Cleveland.
Project Sponsors:
MetroHealth Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (prior sponsor) and National Institutes of Health Neural Prosthesis Program (prior sponsor)
For more information contact:
Kevin Kilgore, Ph.D.
Rehabilitation Engineering Center,Hamann 601
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, OH 44109-1998
(216)459-3801 (216)459-4259 FAX
Email: kkilgore@metrohealth.org