The Praxis and Minax FES systems for functional restoration in SCI

Neopraxis Pty. Ltd. is manufacturing the new implantable Praxis FES system to provide multiple benefits to suitable paraplegic recipients: bladder control, functional upright mobility, pressure relief and lower extremity exercise. The 22 channel implant will achieve these functions through epineural stimulation of nerves in the lower limbs, the medial lumbar region, sacrum and conus medullaris. A body worn controller, the Navigator, transcutaneously powers and controls the implanted FES24 stimulator via a magnetically held transmit coil. Current pulses produced by the implanted stimulator (0-8 mA, 25-500 /spl mu/s, 10-500 Hz) are transferred to the appropriate electrodes via stretchable, insulated leads. Sensor Packs attached to each thigh, shank and the trunk, provide the Navigator's software Strategies with real time information on the position of the lower extremities and the trunk. The stimulator can provide real time telemetry functions including the ability to measure the impedance of the current path through each electrode and the ability to transmit voltage measurements from each electrode. The Minax FES system utilizes the same implantable components but provides bladder control alone to suitable paraplegic and tetraplegics recipients.