Collaboratory England Trip 2024
The Functional Electric Stimulation (FES) team and the Stance Control Orthosis (SCO) team are traveling this summer to England! Follow along on our trip by reading our posts under the "POSTS" page on this website. We thank you for your interest in these projects and your continued prayers!
ABOUT FES
The Functional Electric Stimulation team is creating a device to address gait impairments like foot drop through the application of electrical stimulation during the gait cycle. As the device detects the user’s gait, it will send an electrical signal to the peroneal nerve, lifting the user’s foot as it swings forward and releasing it as they shift their weight forward. Using electrical stimulation (instead of a rigid brace that locks the ankle) encourages muscle strength and development, resulting in more mobile and sustainable (“normal”) gait patterns.
ABOUT SCO
The Stance Control Orthosis team is creating a device to automatically lock a knee brace when the user needs support when they’re walking, and automatically unlock so they can swing their leg normally. This uses sensors located at the knee to tell the brace when to lock and unlock. A device like this will allow users with mobility impairments to walk as normally as possible to encourage muscle development and strength.