Challenges of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Clinical Engineering Practice - Essay Example

It is also evident that, scientific studies on FES have not extensively focused on navigating their research outside persons with stroke (Enderle and Bronzino 2012). There is some research gap that needs to be covered in order for FES to be used in other areas. The use of FES for the hemiplegic shoulder have been proved to be troublesome to some patients since some cutaneous pain receptors get stimulated, and this has been cited to affect tolerance and compliance (Fred, et al 2009). In this regard, it is crucial for the Bio-medical Engineering practitioners to broaden the spectrum of the application and use of FES to other medical practitioners such as psychiatrics in order to help in advising and counselling person with stroke before and after the use of FES devices (Bronzino 2000).

Introduction Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an area of modern rehabilitation engineering and method that is used to generate contractions in paralysed muscles through the application of small pulses of electrical stimulation to nerves present in the paralysed muscle (Peng, et al 2010). This process is controlled in regard to the proper functioning of the muscle. FES as an application revolves around orthotics, which aids walking in addition to practising functional movements that are related to therapeutic benefit.

It is important to note that the application of FES is mostly used in clinical engineering in treating nerves and muscles. Besides, the stimulator used in this process must be substantially tiny to allow it to merge with the patient (Grill, et al 2001). Notably, efficiency of FES is best demonstrated when the nerves supplied by muscle appear not to be damaged. Hence, this application has been used in Clinical Engineering in conditions such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, head injury and stroke among other nerves and muscles relates conditions.

Similarly, the application could be used in orthopaedic condition where there is weakness of the muscle as a result of disuse or inhibition. Conversely, Functional Electrical Stimulation is not recommended for lower motor neurone conditions such as polio, guillain-barre syndrome, as well as, other conditions that are related to low motor neurone (Sheffler and Chae 2007) Majority of the patients who are involved with this application are known to use to FES in their daily activities. With time, patients continuously become less acquainted to the device resulting to an ultimate control of their limb.

According to a recent research conducted by a scientist in the medical field, therapeutic effect of FES is crucial in ensuring that there are means that brings back function to those patients who suffer from upper motor neuron lesions. In fact, over the past fifty years, FES has been widely used on individuals with leg muscle dysfunction and spinal injuries. This application is used to evoke movements in individuals who are experiencing dysfunction in their joints, and spinal injuries. The electrical currents are mostly used through application on the skin surface into the individual’s paralysis (Dollar 2007).

Apparently, FES is used for alternative functions such as generating hand grasps in patients who might be suffering from tetraplegia, as well as, causing an upright posture and locomotion especially in patients who are suffering from paraplegia.