An electrical knee lock system for functional electrical stimulation

Hitoshi Kagaya, Yoichi Shimada, Kozo Sato, Mineyoshi Sato, Kiyomi Iizuka, Goro Obinata

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An electrical knee lock system that can be combined with functional electrical stimulation was designed for paraplegic patients. This knee system unlocks the knee electrically and allows knee flexion during the swing phase of the gait. When the knee is extended by electrical stimulation of the knee extensors, the knee is automatically locked by the weight of the locking bar, and the stimulation of the knee extensors is stopped. Since the knee extensors are stimulated for only a short period, muscle fatigue of the knee extensors seldom occurs. We applied this system to a T8 completely paraplegic patient. Standing-up, standing, walking, and sitting-down motions were all restored by our hybrid system. No electrical stimulation was necessary during standing, and the knee extensors were stimulated during only a small percentage of the 1-gait cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)870-873
Number of pages4
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume77
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 09-1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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