Introduction

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury Charities

Functional Electrical
Stimulation

Julie Hill:
The Research Project

Implants to Control
the Bladder and Bowel

Implants to Restore
Leg Function

FES Rowing

Why do FES cycling?

We carried out a Trial
(2003-2006)

Supplier of FES cycling equipment

UCL Implanted Devices Group

Contact Details

Implants to Restore Leg Function

The implant that we made for Julie is a Lumbar Anterior Root Stimulator (LARS) and was only intended for leg function. Our main aim was to get Julie to be able to stand with this device though we also tried primitive walking. Her ability to propel a tricycle was so much better than her standing that there was little point in continuing with attempts to stand. The fact that she could not stand, despite her strong muscle contractions, is not surprising and is due to the nerve anatomy.

We have now developed a new implant – SLARS – that combines the nerve stimulation for bladder/bowel function with that for leg exercise. Whether all, or most, paraplegics with a SLARS will be able to cycle is unknown but even the ability to easily exercise all the leg muscles will probably be valuable for maintaining fitness by frequent leg muscle exercise.

Although this implant system has been developed and is nearly ready for clinical trials, we do not yet have funding to continue. Donations would be very welcome.

Donations to:
The Development Office
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
Tel: 020 7679 9202

Cheques should be made out to “UCL Develop”, and marked on the back “Ref: IDG” to ensure that they reach the Implanted Devices Group.

Enquiries to: nickd@medphys.ucl.ac.uk (Nick Donaldson)