Functional Electrical Stimulation is a class of devices that use electrical pulses to stimulate muscle contraction. Specifically, many of these devices are used to treat Foot Drop Syndrome, which is the inability to lift the front of the foot (Dorsiflexion) while walking, causing the foot to drag along the ground. This is typically due to some variation of brain/spinal cord injury. While there are a few FES devices currently on the market, many of them, like the Bioness L300, are costly ($5,000+) and require lots of clinician oversight or external calibration devices.

Using ideas discussed with James Lewallen, CO, the team started work on developing our own FES device this semester. Instead of creating a device that uses a built-in gyroscope/motion detection, the device will rely on the motion data from the user's phone, strapped to the leg, to determine gait analysis and when to send the electrical pulse. This will allow the user more flexibility in where and when they use this device. Along with the physical circuitry, the team has also been working on developing a companion app to detect the user's stride and allow the user/clinician to control the pulse parameters without needing an external device.