Exp Neurobiol.
2010 Dec;19(3):165-172. 10.5607/en.2010.19.3.165.
ZigBee-based Wireless Neuro-Stimulator for Improving Stroke Recovery
- Affiliations
-
- 1Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute (ETRI), Daejeon 305-700, Korea.
- 2Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Cheonan 330-825, Korea.
- 3Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea. ysyangg@gmail.com
- 4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Pusan National University Hospital Medical Research Institute, Yangsan 626-770, Korea.
- 5Institute of Medical System Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Korea.
- KMID: 1460761
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2010.19.3.165
Abstract
- Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and the second-leading cause of death in Korea. It is also the third-leading cause of death in the United States, leading to a serious demand for new interventions to improve the quality of life in stroke survivors. To this end, direct cortical stimulation using an epidural electrode has been reported with promising results in animal and human studies, showing the potential for enhancing the recovery in chronic stroke patients. For optimal results, doctors must be able to modify the stimulation pattern as frequently as needed over a period of time for a given patient. However, severe aftereffects caused by stroke limit patients' activities, making regular doctor visits for treatment difficult. This study aims to develop a prototype of a telemedicine system to enhance stroke recovery by using a ZigBee-based wireless neuro-stimulator. The ZigBee is a stable platform for many low-power wireless applications. To allow stroke patients to remotely obtain neuro-stimulation treatments from their doctors, we connected the ZigBee to the internet. The system also allows doctors to personalize treatment based on the history of the stimulation parameters. The system developed here can also be beneficial as a common platform for a wide range of brain diseases and clinical care for which electric stimulation is used.
