US4750499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closed-loop, implanted-sensor, functional electrical stimulation system for partial restoration of motor functions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-08-20
•
Granted: 1988-06-14
•
Expires: 2006-08-20
Abstract
Abstract An FES method for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, the method comprising implanting a force sensor comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles; producing an electrical control signal for activating a muscle stimulator in response to the electrical signals sensed by the nerve electrode; and stimulating the paralyzed muscles in accordance with the control signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Joaquin A. Hoffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36003; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1104; A61B5/1106; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043; A61B5/45; A61B5/4519; A61B5/4523
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An FES method for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, said method comprising: implanted a force sensor comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles, sensing electrical signals via said force sensor, producing an electrical control signal for activating a muscle stimulator in response to the electrical signals sensed by said nerve electrode, and stimulating the paralyzed muscles in accordance with said control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An FES method for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, said method comprising: implanted a force sensor comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles, sensing electrical signals via said force sensor, producing an electrical control signal for activating a muscle stimulator in response to the electrical signals sensed by said nerve electrode, and stimulating the paralyzed muscles in accordance with said control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The FES method of claim 1 wherein said step of implanting a force sensor comprises the step of implanting a nerve cuff electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The FES method of claim 2 wherein said nerve cuff electrode comprises an insulating tube disposed around a peripheral sensory nerve, and at least one electrode extending circumferentially around the inner surface of said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The FED method of claim 1 wherein said electrical control signal is produced by generating a command signal, and algebraically summing said command signal and signals derived from the signals sensed by said nerve electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
An FES system for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, said system comprising: an electrically controllable stimulator means for stimulating the paralyzed muscles, an implantable force sensor means comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles and providing sensor signals in response thereto, and control means responsive to said sensor signals from said force sensor means for producing an electrical control signal for activating said stimulator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
An FES system for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, said system comprising: an electrically controllable stimulator means for stimulating the paralyzed muscles, an implantable force sensor means comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles and providing sensor signals in response thereto, and control means responsive to said sensor signals from said force sensor means for producing an electrical control signal for activating said stimulator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The FES system of claim 5 wherein said nerve electrode comprises a nerve cuff electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The FES system of claim 6 wherein said nerve cuff electrode comprises an insulating tube adapted to be disposed around a peripheral sensory nerve, and at least one electrode extending circumferentially around the inner surface of said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The FES system of claim 5 wherein said control means comprises: means for generating a command signal, means for providing an algebraic sum signal by algebraically summing said command signal and said sensor signals, and means for producing said electrical control signal in response to said algebraic sum signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The FES system of claim 5 wherein said control means includes means for amplifying, rectifying and filtering the signals detected by said force sensor means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |