Microprocessor Controlled Isometric Contractions of Cat Gastrocnemius Muscle.
Abstract
Increasing numbers of spinal cord injury victims due to automobile accidents, sports injuries and gunshot wounds reflect a growing need for a paralysis cure. One method under study to alleviate the flight of spinal cord injury victims is the use of microcomputers to control the stimulation of the remaining motor nerve. If the motor nerve is intact and is carefully stimulated, muscle contraction will occur. Coordinated contraction of two or more opposing muscles can produce limb movement and using small, fast microcomputers to control the stimulation of the muscle tissue, and hence movement, a possible cure to the paraplegic problem may be found. The object of this project was to produce controlled fatiguing muscle contractions in the gastrocnemius muscle of cats. The composition of the muscle tissue is identical to man's and controlled contractions in the cat will lead to the same contractions in man. In order to produce an accurately controlled contraction, first a computer system was constructed from an Intel 8085 microprocessor. Next, controllable stimulators for the motor nerves were constructed and controlled by the microprocessor via digital to analog convertors. Feedback from the muscle under test was then interpreted through analog to digital convertors, such that the microprocessor controlled the contraction tension of the muscle as a constant. Through the feedback, the processor was able to induce highly accurate sustained muscle contractions and with the high speed of the system, future multi-muscle control systems could develop.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA115504
Entities
People
- John C. Mckeeman
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology