Scanning electrode system for a neuroprosthesis

A method of performing functional electrical stimulation (FES) using a scanning electrode system for a neuroprosthetic device, so as to enable facile adjustment and fine-tuning of a spatial distribution of a local electrical stimulation field across a scanning electrode, by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a device including:
• (i) at least one scanning electrode for the neuroprosthetic device, said scanning electrode for performing functional electrical stimulation (FES) of at least one muscle of a limb of the user;
• (ii) a distribution mechanism for distributing current to said at least one scanning electrode, said distribution mechanism for operative connection to a muscle stimulator providing power to the scanning electrode system, and
• (iii) control means for adjustment of said biased electrical stimulation field by means of said distribution mechanism, said control means designed and configured so as to be accessable to and operable by the user, and
• (b) operating said control means to produce a biased electrical field across said at least one scanning electrode, so as to adjust a response of said muscle.

A scanning electrode system for a neuroprosthetic device, the system for providing facile adjustment and fine-tuning of a spatial distribution of a local electrical stimulation field across a scanning electrode, by a system user, the scanning electrode system comprising:

• (a) at least one scanning electrode for the neuroprosthetic device, said scanning electrode for performing functional electrical stimulation (FES) of at least one muscle of a limb of the user;
• (b) a distribution mechanism for distributing current to said at least one scanning electrode so as to produce a biased electrical stimulation field across said at least one scanning electrode, said distribution mechanism for operative connection to a muscle stimulator providing electrical stimulation to the scanning electrode system, and
• (c) control means for adjustment of said biased electrical stimulation field by means of said distribution mechanism,
• wherein said distribution mechanism is designed and configured to bias said electrical field in a substantially monotonic fashion.