A six-month effort is proposed to develop a three-channel computer protoboard system for hand-control in quadriplegic (spinal cord-injured) subjects. This Phase I project will result in first and second generation prototypes. The literature is reviewed with respect to recent advances in closed-loop functional electrical stimulation and movement of paralyzed muscles. Particular attention is directed towards hand control. The rudimentary hand control developed at Wright State University indicates the feasibility of the approach. Commercial possibilities are identified. The relationship of Phase I prototype development to an expanded Phase II study is outlined. The experimental design involves accepted, stateof-the-art technology and consists of shouldermyoelectric control, surface muscle sensing and stimulation, modern electrode technology, computer control technology, and "visual" closedloop control. The experimental protocol is proposed to satisfy the specific airns and includes: Design and development of a first generation hand-control system, functional testing on two normal subjects, design and development of a second generation system, functional testing on normal and quadriplegic patients, development of the hand-control software, and documentation and reporting of results. The system will be developed as a type zero servomechanism and breadboarded on an AT&T computer board (in FORTH language). Subject testing will be extremely limited (only as necessary to develop the prototype).National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
