Department E-1 Jozef Stefan Institute Ljubljana, Slovenia

Biocybernetics Laboratory

The laboratory activities include:

• basic research
• applied research
• production of electrical stimulators

The areas of activity are:

• surface functional electrical stimulation
• implantable functional electrical stimulation
• evaluation of gait and human movement

The Laboratory staff is involved also in related activities at the

• Institute for Rehabilitation of The Republic of Slovenia and at the
• Center for Analysis and Synthesis of Motion

Current projects

Laboratory staff

Basic Research

In basic research activities the rehabilitation mechanisms of human body related to central nervous system by means of functional electrical stimulation (FES) are studied. Target population are stroke patients and head trauma patients.

In acute patients the single- or multichannel surface FES is used to promote rehabilitation in order to achieve independent ambulation. Different approaches in rehabilitation and different FES devices are being developed.

In chronic patients with residual gait anomalies means of surface and implanted FES technology is studied in order to improve gait and to minimise the anomalies in patient's home environment. Different electrodes for implanted systems are developed and problems of corrosion and selectivity of stimulated neuromuscular structures are studied.

Applied Research

Applied research consists of research and development of different FES devices and measuring devices. On the basis of phenomena studied in the basic research particular devices that utilise that phenomena are developed. The devices are designed and tested on larger population of subjects in different institutions. The techniques of application are studied. Efficiency and safety of the devices have to be thoroughly evaluated before clinical use.

Production of Electrical Stimulators

The main and final goal of research in rehabilitation is to help the patient. On the basis of our own research results and other known rehabilitation principles a family of electrical stimulators are produced in our laboratory. The devices are commercially available to the patients in Slovenia as well as abroad.

A short description of the stimulators follows:

• MIKROFES - an orthotic stimulator for stimulation of peroneal nerve for correction of drop-foot in plegic and paretic patients.
• IPPO - an implantible version of Mikrofes stimulator, where electrodes are implanted on the surface of peroneal nerve. The information and energy are transmitted by RF signal through antenna.
• UNIFES - an universal stimulator for home use for tetanic and peripheral stimulation.
• SCOLIFES - a stimulator for home use for correction of juvenile scoliosis.
• ALT-2 - a dual channel stimulator for cyclical training of muscles, for standing and gait of paraplegic and paraparetic patient. Each patient needs two devices, which are operated by switches mounted in handles of crutches.
• DECUS - a stimulator for quick healing of pressure sores (decubitus), ulcuses and vascular wounds. Personal version Decus-P is designed for the home use by the patient. Hospital version Decus-H is designed for clinical use and has additional mode of operation for stimulation of C4 acupuncture spots.
• ACCUS - a personal stimulator for enhanced wound healing (ulcus, vascular wound), designed for home use for stimulation of C4 acupuncture spots.
• TNB - Transcoutaneous Neural Block is a personal device designed for healing of herpes simplex and herpes zoster, and for relieving of pain in postherpetic neuralgia.
• TES - an universal therapeutic stimulator for physiotherapies and other rehabilitation institutions. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery or from main supply by adapter.
• NEVROBOL - a single channel pain relief stimulator (TENS). It is manufactured in two versions: Nevrobol-H is placed in a larger housing which makes it more convenient clinical use, and Nevrobol-P is in smaller plastic housing and intended for personal use.
• NEVROBOL-II - a dual channel pain relief stimulator (TENS). It comprises two separated stimulating channels. The rechargeable battery pack is built in the stimulator and can be recharged via external recharger.

The Institute for Rehabilitation of The Republic of Slovenia

Since human movement is an extremely complicated dynamic process a lot of attention is directed to this area. The Gait Laboratory at the The Institute for Rehabilitation of The Republic of Slovenia is running for over 10 years now. It is main goal is the measurement of gait and stabilometry for rehabilitation. A vertical ground reaction force measuring system of our own design is used together with 3D goniometers, 18-channel EMG recording system, system for stride length and gait speed measurement.

Current Projects

The following projects are currently running in the Biocybernetics Laboratory:

• Optical measurement of lung volumn changes caused by functional stimulation of abdominal muscles, principal investigator: dr. Uro"s Stani"c.
• Augmentation of pulmonary ventilation by functional electrical stimulation of abdominal muscles, principal investigator at our Institute: dr. Uro"s Stani"c.

Laboratory staff

• Vane Antoli"c
• Uro"s Bogataj
• Franc Gider
• Sre"cko Herman
• Miroljub Kljaji'c
• Franc Srakar
• Miha Stopar
• Martin Tom"sic

Here is a searchable list of E-mail addresses.

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