Apparatus for assisting muscular contraction
AssigneeWright State University
InventorJerrold S. Petrofsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for assisting contraction of a partially paralyzed muscle. The system uses a pair of electrode terminals which sense voluntary EMG signals at the site of the muscle and periodically transmit appropriately corresponding higher level stimulation signals. Stimulation signals are generated by a pulsed stimulator operating under control of an amplifier arrangement connected to receive the EMG signals from the electrode terminals. A transistor switch interrupts the amplifier output in synchronism with the generation of stimulation signals. A pair of back-to-back diodes are positioned between the electrode terminals for limiting the signals which are applied to the amplifier.
Claims13
Apparatus for assisting muscular contraction comprising:
- electrode means for sensing voluntary electromyographic signals
- amplifier means connected to said electrode means for receiving and amplifying said electromyographic signals to produce a corresponding higher amplitude control signal,
- said control signal having a level varying in accordance with said electromyographic signals,
- signal limiting means connected between said amplifier means and said electrode means for limiting the level of signals applied by said electrode means to said amplifier means,
- stimulator means connected for receiving said control signal and comprising means responsive to said varying control signal level for generating and delivering to said electrode means a series of stimulation pulses each having an energy level which depends variably upon changes in the level of said control signal, and
- means for preventing said amplifier means from amplifying said stimulation pulses.
Apparatus for assisting muscular contraction comprising:
- electrode means for sensing voluntary electromyographic signals,
- amplifier means connected to said electrode means for receiving and amplifying said electromyographic signals to produce corresponding higher amplitude control signals said control signal having a level varying in accordance with said electromyographic signals,
- signal limiting means associated with said amplifier means for preventing amplification of received signals which are in excess of a predetermined level,
- stimulator means connected for receiving said control signals and comprising means responsive to said varying control signal level for periodically delivering to said electrode means muscular stimulation signals which vary in dependence upon variations in said control signals, and
- switch means for disconnecting said stimulator means from said amplifier means while said stimulation signals are being delivered to said electrode means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.