Studies on ultrafine intramuscular electrode and skin button for FES

A percutaneously indwelling intramuscular electrode was developed for controlling paralyzed upper and lower extremities by functional electrical stimulation (FES). The electrode was made of a 19-strand rope wound from ultrafine (25- mu m-diameter) SUS 316L stainless steel wires. Because of low percentages of electrode breakage and migration in the body, stable and reliable stimulation of paralyzed muscles was achieved for a long period of time. A skin button made of SiC-whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic composite was developed for introducing the electrode percutaneously into the body. Cultured neurons and fibroblasts adhered to the surface of the skin button.<
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