A neuroprosthesis for restoration of shoulder function in C5-C6 tetraplegia

Subjects with spinal cord injury at the C5 level have very little or no control over shoulder motions that move the arm towards the midline of the workspace. This limits their ability to perform daily activities in that part of the workspace, reducing their independence and quality of life. A shoulder neuroprosthesis based on functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) has been implemented and evaluated in an individual with C5 tetraplegia to restore shoulder horizontal flexion and adduction function lost to paralysis. The shoulder moments produced by the stimulated muscles were found to be similar in magnitude to maximum voluntary moments generated by antagonistic muscles, indicating that this neuroprosthesis will be adequate to provide increased function by use of retained voluntary control of the antagonistic muscles.