Development of a Compact High-Voltage Functional Electrical Stimulation Device

TL;DR

This paper presents a compact, high-voltage FES device that enhances user comfort and versatility through rapid switching and off-the-shelf components, suitable for wearable neural rehabilitation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel compact FES device utilizing a switched capacitor stimulator and flyback converter, reducing costs and enabling wearable applications.

Findings

Achieved high compliance voltage up to 135 V for diverse muscle activation

Demonstrated effective muscle stimulation with minimized pain receptor activation

Developed a cost-effective, portable FES prototype suitable for wearable use

Abstract

This report details the design and development of a compact high-voltage functional electrical stimulation (FES) device. Unlike conventional FES systems, the proposed design prioritizes user comfort by leveraging rapid switching times to effectively activate muscles while minimizing stimulation of pain receptors. The device is equipped with a high compliance voltage of up to 135 V, enabling its use across various muscle groups and accommodating users with differing skin conductance levels. At the core of the system is a switched capacitor (SC) stimulator, which facilitates fast switching, and a flyback converter that steps up the battery voltage. The design exclusively utilizes off-the-shelf components, significantly reducing prototyping costs. Initially, a large testing board was developed to evaluate the performance of the SC stimulator in comparison with conventional H-bridge-based current-regulated stimulators. Subsequently, a compact, three-board PCB design was created to enable battery-powered operation, making it suitable for wearable applications. The proposed design methodology is broadly applicable to a wide range of neural rehabilitation applications.