iWalk

 

How does it work?
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is the application of electrical currents to either generate or suppress activity in the nervous system. The IWALK 200 employs FES to:

  • Address foot drop issues secondary to upper motor neuron dysfunctions
  • Produce effective dorsiflexion at the ankle at the optimum time during walking toimprove limb clearance during swing
  • Control the foot/ankle during swing in preparation for a safe and effective initial contact period
  • Maintain and improve mobility and safety during walking
  • Effect early gait re-training

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Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation (TES) is used for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy, nerve injury, stroke and sports injury. TES objectives include:

  • Increasing specific muscle strength, endurance and/or range of motion
  • Reducing, delaying and/or reversing muscle atrophy
  • Increasing circulation and bone density
  • Reducing the incidence of injury
  • Facilitating muscle re-education
  • Re-establishing or improving voluntary control
  • Improving sensory awareness

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

A method of applying a low level of electrical impulses to the motor nerve to activate dysfunctional muscles and produce intentional and useful movement.

How to use it?

When a patient uses the i-walk 200 for the first time, his/her clinician or trained professional will find the appropriate location of the electrodes and attach 2 electrode bases to the cuff (see picture, electrodes positions on the right leg).

To position the electrode bases:

  • Step one: Enter programmer’s Stimulation Parameter screen, program the stimulator’s current magnitude to minimum. Press the ON/OFF button to turn off the stimulator.
  • Step two: Clean the skin area where the electrodes will be placed with a wet towel. Wait until the skin is dry.
  • Step three: Place adhesive electrode pads on the clinician electrode bases , and then put the two electrodes on the muscle and nerve locations respectively (see picture). Position the yellow electrode over the Common Peroneal nerve (distal and slightly posterior to the Fibular head). Position the gray electrode over the belly of the Tibialis Anterior muscle. Plug the electrode snaps into the output snaps on the stimulator according to the color label.
  • Step four: Enter programmer’s Stimulation Parameter screen, configure the stimulator’s stimulation parameters. Start from low current magnitude (e.g., 1 mA), then gradually increase the current magnitude. If the dorsiflexion response is not appropriated, adjust the position of the electrodes. Repeat until the dorsiflexion response is appropriated.
  • Step five: Transferring the electrode positions from the leg to the cuff: After confirming the correct position of the electrodes, make the positions on the skin using a marker. Then use the cuff locator, tilt it away from the patient’s leg and position its locator just below the kneecap.

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iWALK 200 Foot Drop System

The i-walk 200 is a FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) device. While walking, the Gait Sensor (tilt or heel-pressure sensor) detects the swing phase of the gait cycle. The stimulator is trigged by the sensor signal to deliver electrical pulses to the common peroneal nerve and the tibialis anterior muscle through the electrodes, thus may improve the gait. In addition, the Training Mode of the i-walk 200 is used to re-educate muscles while the patient is resting (for example, sitting or lying down).