Cleveland FES Center Restores Movement to Individuals with Neuromuscular Disabilities Using MathWorks Tools

Model-Based Design enables faster development of functional electrical
stimulation devices to assist a wide range of patient scenarios
NATICK, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
The MathWorks today announced that the Cleveland FES Center, using tools for
Model-Based Design, has developed research technology that more quickly restores
movement to individuals with neuromuscular disabilities. Adopting Model-Based
Design reduced the development time of functional electrical stimulation (FES)
devices and enabled researchers to build customized prototypes for patients many
times faster than they could do before.

FES devices restore movement to paralyzed arms and legs. They send electrical
impulses to electrodes-implanted in the body, worn on the skin, or operating
through the skin-to produce and control movement. Adapting the FES device for
each patient was a time-consuming process, as the device software needed
multiple iterations for a customized response to each patient`s needs.

The Cleveland FES Center, at Case Western Reserve University, developed the
Universal External Control Unit (UECU) to address the need for tailored FES
devices. With the UECU`s modular software and hardware design, research
engineers in the clinic can modify a FES controller application and immediately
test the results.

With MathWorks tools, teams are able to develop, test, and implement algorithms
that suit specific patient scenarios, reducing the traditional development cycle
for some FES functions to less than a day.

"All of our FES applications used to be built by dedicated programmers using C
code," said Robert Kirsch, PhD, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Case Western
Reserve University and Associate Director of Technology, Cleveland FES Center.
"The overall process was slow because everything had to be done by our central
programmers, which limited how quickly we could move from idea to
implementation. MathWorks tools for Model-Based Design provide the flexibility
and ease of use that enables our clinical groups to develop and refine FES
applications on their own."

"An approach like Model-Based Design is ideal for researchers and scientists who
may not have an extensive software programming background but who are still
involved in product design and development," said Paul Barnard, marketing
director - design automation, at The MathWorks. "The creation of industry
firsts, such as the UECU, demonstrates just how critical MathWorks tools have
become in the field of biomedical research."

The UECU project involved a range of MathWorks products beyond MATLAB and
Simulink , including Signal Processing Blockset , Stateflow , Real-Time Workshop
, xPC Target , and xPC Target Embedded Option . More than 30 UECUs are currently
in use by patients today, and over the next decade, the Cleveland FES Center
aims to introduce a new technology that is a fully internal system, inside the
body. This modular and expandable system is expected to provide patients with
more functionality and independence. The lab prototypes of the new system are
already running programs created with Simulink and Real-Time Workshop.

About Cleveland FES Center

The Cleveland FES Center is a consortium of three nationally recognized
institutions: the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Case Western Reserve
University, and MetroHealth Medical Center. The Cleveland FES Center is
dedicated to the advancement and clinical deployment of technologies that
generate or suppress activity in the nervous system; including technology that
produces and controls the movement of otherwise paralyzed limbs.
www.FEScenter.org

About The MathWorks

The MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software.
MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for
algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation.
Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of
multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide
rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation,
and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services,
biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries.

MathWorks products are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the
world`s universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, The MathWorks
employs more than 2,100 people in 15 countries, with headquarters in Natick,
Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit www.mathworks.com.

Case Western Reserve University is among the nation`s leading research
institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case
Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case Western Reserve is
distinguished by its strengths in education, research, service, and experiential
learning. Located in Cleveland, Case Western Reserve offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering, Law,
Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu

MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc. See
www.mathworks.com/trademarks for a list of additional trademarks. Other product
or brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.

The MathWorks, Inc.
Sriya Kodial, 508-647-2030
sriya.kodial@mathworks.com
or
Text 100 Public Relations
Jennifer Bulmahn, 617-399-4986
mathworks@text100.com

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