AN EXTERNALLY POWERED, MULTICHANNEL, IMPLANTABLE STIMULATOR-TELEMETERFOR CONTROL OF PARALYZED MUSCLE

An implantable integrated stimulator and telemetry system has been dev eloped. The system is capable of fulfilling the stimulus and telemetry needs of advanced functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) applicat ions requiring multiple channels of stimulation and multiple channels of sensor or biopotential sensing. This system provides a command cont rol structure, an inductive radio frequency link providing power to th e implant device as well as two-way transcutaneous communication, an A SIC for decoding the command and for providing functional control with in the implant, and modular circuitry providing the application specif ic implant functions. Biocompatible hermetic packaging, lead systems, and in-line connectors suitable for longterm implantation, provide enc apsulation for the circuitry and access to the electrodes and sensors used in the application. The first implant configuration realized from this modular system is targeted for clinical implementation in person s with tetraplegia at the C6 level for restoration of hand function, u sing wrist position as the command control source. The implant device realized has ten channels of stimulation and telemetry used to control and sense a joint angle transducer implanted in the radio-carpal join t of the wrist. A prototype device has been fabricated and is undergoi ng testing in an animal.