A Modular Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) System for Gait Assistance in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy

Foot drop, the inability to lift the forefoot during gait, is a common symptom of disorders such as diabetes, stroke, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy. This condition makes walking difficult and unsafe, often resulting in stumbles and falls due to lack of ground clearance. The current standard of care is orthotic bracing, which presents donning and doffing challenges, restricts ankle motion, and contributes to social stigma in many parts of the world. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is an alternative approach which uses small amounts of electrical current delivered through skin-surface electrodes to stimulate peripheral nerves, thus generating muscle contraction and ultimately functional movement of a human limb. When packaged in a wearable device with onboard sensors capable of detecting gait phase, stimulation current can be applied to the lower leg to cause the foot to lift during the swing phase of gait. While several FES foot-drop systems are commercially available, they cost upward of $13,000 and provide a level of adjustability and complexity not needed for many conditions. The Messiah FES team is working to develop a low-cost, portable, easy-to-use, and durable electrical stimulation device to restore legged ambulation to children with mobility impairments resulting from cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other conditions with similar effects. Our clinical partner is CURE Ethiopia, with our primary contacts being Dr. Tim Nunn and Dr. Laurence Wicks at the CURE Ethiopia Children\u27s Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Funding for this work provided by The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research.https://mosaic.messiah.edu/engr2022/1007/thumbnail.jp