Evaluation of the Efficacy of the New Matrix Electrode-Array for Selective Activation by Means of Surface Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation of sensory-motor systems when applying surface electrodes is becoming a conventional therapeutic modality (e.g., pain reduction, muscle strengthening, activation of paralyzed muscles, and training of sensory-motor mechanisms). Common to all uses of surface electrodes for stimulation is that it requires a great deal of skill and patience of the user and/or the therapist to place the electrodes in the optimal position for the function to be performed. It is impossible to know precisely the pathways of the electrical charge that should be delivered to sensory-motor systems under the skin. It is therefore difficult to predict precisely which anatomic structures will be activated for any given position and electrode configuration.
We are addressing the problem of the effective use of surface electrodes that partly resolves the said problems by using electrode arrays. The main task of the study is to evaluate the selectivity and control of stiffness of the distal arm joints. This will be done for various functional grasps (palmar, lateral, precision). The assessment will be the force and ability to control grasp (joint angles). The results of the initial findings were published in Artificial Organs (Bijelić et al., 2005).
We will also study the application of the system for selective activation of various muscles that are of interest for the project FET of walking. The first evaluation will be in the surface based drop-foot stimulation.
Collaboration with University of Belgrade and SME “UNA Consulting”, Belgrade, Serbia and Montengro.