Paralysis patient assistance device with electrode-based functional electrical stimulation.

This study aims to create a device that assists patients with paralysis in communicating their basic needs. The goal is to utilize available technology to provide a better understanding and communication methodology to the patient and provide an alternative, lesser-cost rehabilitation method called Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) which is intended to gradually restore lost function of the arm muscles of the patient responsible for grasp. Considering the amount incurred by the rehabilitation process, the device can cut costs using less costly materials but provide the same care a patient with paralysis might need. The device is a microcontroller-based hand gesture with sensors attached to the patient's hand and fingers, which serve as the primary method of communication of the patient to the person in charge of taking care of them. Each gesture has a corresponding message that the patient may toggle by moving their fingers, and the message is displayed on an LCD along with an SMS notification alerting the person in charge of the patient if they happen to be away in the vicinity of the patient. Messages can be customized depending on the patient's needs that may arise in their daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]