ISSN : 2230-7109 (Online) | ISSN : 2230-9543 (Print)
6, Issue 3, July - Sept 2015
Functional Electrical Stimulator Using EEG for Paralyzed
Person’s Limb Control
1
Umaraniya Akash, 2Prof. Kantipudi MVV Prasad
1,2
Dept. of Electronics & Communication, RK University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Abstract
Cognitive imagination in neuroscience brain signaling and imaging
technologies have started to provide us with the capability to
interface human brain and our application. This capability is
only possible with EEG electrodes, EEG acquisition circuit with
controller. Controller is used for monitoring signal processing.
Research scholars have used this technology to make BCI using
MATLAB or serial interface with Arduino-uno controller. In this
technology we proposed a method based on EEG signal extracted
and controlled by Arduino-uno controller and controlling signal
is applied to FES (Functional Electrical Stimulator) system it will
provide the micro volts current to the nerves of a paralyzed person
based on his brain activity.
Keywords
Electrodes, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), Electroencephalo-
graphy (EEG), Functional Electric Stimulation (FES)
I. Introduction
Neuro fibril injuries with spinal cord injury in paralyzed people
have not convey of commands between brain & body there for
muscles can’t contract or relax [1]. Physiotherapy exercise provides
recovery function by electrical stimulator. Under this situation
injurious person need to physiotherapist or depends any other
novel people [2-3]. Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology
to give us information about our thought. This technology use
for functional to restore or replacement behaviours in patients
who have neurological injuries [5]. Here, we define method for
paralyzed person can grip or movement by non-invasive EEG
(Electroencephalogram) based BCI control system [4].
A. Related Work has been Done
Wolpaw JR and McFarland DJ defines controlling adaptive
algorithm of non-invasive acquisition signal. In this research paper
it also compare with invasive signal result and find out accuracy
and take time taken in non-invasive control target on cursor control
[8].
Rajesh Kannan et al.: Defines the Mobile control robot by using
steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) they control their
navigation mobile control wheel chair robot [11]
Birbaumer N et al.: Illustrating slow cortical potentials (SCPs)
algorithm for paralyzed people use for selecting letters from a
virtual keyboard [9].
Jung-Yoon Kim and Won-Hyung Lee, illustrating “EEG Signal
feature analysis of Smartphone Game User” in this paper he take
raw EEG signal to classified FFT transformation and plot signal
have made attention and meditation by different frequency [10].
K. W. Eric Cheng et al.: find the low cost current controlled
functional electrical stimulator. They have defining two circuit
of FES system. One of the circuits has 555 Timer IC, amplifiers
and transformer based circuit. Second of them have illustrating
power MOSFET, Inductor, Pulse generator, Resistor, Capacitor
and Diode based voltage to current conversation circuit it is also
called resonance circuit. In this circuit no transformer is required
so no bulky compare first circuit [12].
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IJECT Vol.
Stephen T Foldes and Dawn M Taylor, found Speaking and
cognitive distractions during EEG-based brain control of a virtual
neuroprosthesis arm. In this novel research for tested the impact
of cognitive load as well as speaking on the ability to use an
EEG-based BCI. This report found and tested 80% accuracy for
speak regularly of paraplegic people subject [13].
B. Electrodes
In my proposed design for EEG acquisition system it has required
three dry AgCl(silver-chloride) EEG electrodes which is sense
micro-electric current from the scalp of our brain activity or
thought. [3].
Others electrodes are called surface electrodes which are used
micro-current giving to paralyzed body part from the electrical
stimulator.
C. Brain computer interface
Brain computer interface technology is giving pathway between
brain and computer. In this technology brain declare their activity
to the computer. BCI use the signal (brain wave) acquisition form
brain has three types [5].
1. Invasive
Implanted sensor or device directly into the grey matter of the
brain from the surgery
2. Partially-Invasive
Partially invasive acquisition system, devices are implanted inside
the scalp but rest outside the brain but connect the grey matter
3. Non-Invasive
Implanted outside the scalp and mount by 10-20 EEG standard
society
Here, we used Non-Invasive technology and electrodes are
mounting on scalp.
D. Arduino-Uno Controller
In this project we have use Arduino-uno controller for analog to
digital conversation and also monitor with serial interface with
computer for easily programming concept. Important features of
this microcontroller have six analog input ports (A0 – A5), DC
voltage source 5V and 3.3V DC power supply ports and 14 Digital
I/O ports. Arduino Uno has use C or C++ language for various
applications [13]. Arduino Co. Itself has developed software,
based on C or C++ as a platform, to program the microcontroller.
Interfacing with any computer is very easy using the USB cord.
It have in-built ATmega328 controller, the main part of Arduino
board.
E. Brain-muscle communication
Spinal cord is a pathway from brain to body activity. When a
human wants to right side body activity, brain send a command
from the left side. The signals of brain transmit through nervous
bundle and reach to body part which we call muscle activity like to
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IJECT Vol. 6, Issue 3, July - Sept 2015 ISSN : 2230-7109 (Online) | ISSN : 2230-9543 (Print)

contract and others to relax. There are two sets of nervous systems
to do muscle activity one is efferent and afferent. Afferent nerve
also called sensory or receptor from the central nervous system
include spinal cord. Efferent nerve also called motor nerves system
if efferent nerves damage are not working our body parts like upper
limb (hand movement) or down limb (leg movement). Efferent
generate also feedback movement like activity direct response
example we touch candle flame then we shout. In this transmit
& received signal direct cerebellum part of brain.
F. FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation)
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a treatment for muscle
restoration. FES system is voltage to current converter circuit or
also called resonant circuit [12]. In the circuit main part is oscillator
circuit as Arduino controller to generate square wave signal and
apply to FES. That signal is controlled pulse frequency, amplitude
and pulse width for proper application or damage part.
limb function which is damage by muscular injury [14]. Therefore
the integration of a non-invasive EEG-based BCI system with a
FES system for the lower extremities will more feasible. It proves
that the muscle activity is done by the signal of brain. Researcher
has also proves that the electrical current given to the muscle can
produce the muscle contractions. Some researchers have noticed
contraction of cockroach leg with the help of electric impulse,
which previously not working properly.
The Fig. 3 illustrate, how to control EEG capture message from
scalp and amplify with EEG acquisition system with controlling
Arduino uno controller.

Fig. 1: Field between a positive and negative electrode

G. Brain-muscle communication
Spinal cord is a pathway between brain and body. When a human
wants to do right side body activity, brain send a command from the
left side. The signals of brain transmit through nervous bundle and Fig. 3: How to Interface BCI with FES System
reach to body part which we call muscle activity like to contract
and others to relax. There are two sets of nervous systems to do II. Proposed Design for This Project
muscle activity one is efferent and afferent. Afferent nerve also
called sensory or receptor from the central nervous system include
spinal cord. Efferent nerve also called motor nerves system if
efferent nerves damage are not working our body parts like upper
limb (hand movement) or down limb (leg movement). Efferent
generate also feedback movement like activity direct response
example we touch candle flame then we shout. In this transmit
& received signal direct cerebellum part of brain.

Fig. 4: Block Diagram of Proposed System

In the fig. 4 conclude EEG electrodes acquire raw EEG signal to

give EEG acquisition circuit. How interface Arduino controller
and laptop. Arduino controller detects command from brain and
output generate PWM signal there have proper frequency as a input
of FES system. FES system has control amplitude and generates
small micro electric current less than 150mA to give paralyzed
muscle.

Fig. 2: Brain-Muscle Activity Interface BCI-FES system A. EEG Acquisition System

AD 620 amplifiers for using instrumentation amplifier because
H. Interface BCI-FES system it’s have high gain.
Interface BCI-FES systems are defined more powerful for neuro CA 3130 amplifier have 15MHz, Bi-MOS Operational Amplifier
rehabilitation tools. In my proposed way they are improving upper with MOSFET Input/CMOS Output. It can use with a single

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ISSN : 2230-7109 (Online) | ISSN : 2230-9543 (Print)
capacitor and resistor have variable terminals for adjustment
of offset voltage for application of amplifier with null capable
output.
CA 3140 amplifier is used for class-A amplifier which is generate
the inverting the output signal waves.
Fig. 5: EEG Acquisition Circuit for 1-channel in Proteus Design
Suit [11]
III. Implementation & Discussion
We have required three dry EEG electrodes there are mounted on
scalp & connected with EEG acquisition circuit. Circuit shown in
Figure there has required amplifiers, capacitors, resistors, presets,
hook-up wire and circuit board to develop EEG acquisition circuit.
First EEG signal acquire from human scalp this is analog form
with the input as a EEG acquisition circuit shown in Figure-5.
AD620 is generally used as a pre amplification and gain is G =
(49.4k ohm/2.4k ohm) +1 = nearby 23
CA3130 is generally used as post amplification and gain is about
(-R2/R1) = nearby 65
Voltage follower CA3140 where its place as virtual ground with
couple instrumentation amplifier
High pass filter is attached in between pre signal acquisition
and post signal amplification stages and another is attached
after post signal amplification stage, both stages with a cut-off
frequency is 0.13 Hz. Here we require high beta wave form for
the extraction.
EEG signals of require our application to a maximum of 48 Hz. So
use low pass filter with a bandwidth of 45-48 Hz is included along
with the OP-AMP to extract the frequencies. Output analog signal
is give to the Arduino controller Arduino attach serial interface
with laptop/computer and also programming purpose for Arduino
controller.
Arduino controller extracts the signal feature and find spike
from brain signal and generate PWM signal with 1 kHz-100 kHz
frequency depend human’s intensity and it is time limit bound.
Generated PWM signal is apply to FES system’s transformer
circuit and output 120mA current signal give to paralyzed body
part via surface electrodes.
Arduino uno controller and FES require 3V to 220V step up
transformer with 200mA and some diode require for mono-stable
or bi-stable current generator.
IV. Result
Using this treatment i have mount 1-channel EEG electrodes by
10-20 international standards on the point of Fp1, Fp2 and F7 by
knowledge of neuro-physician. Those channel to acquiring EEG
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IJECT Vol. 6, Issue 3, July - Sept 2015
signal is raw data by using EEG amplifier and filter circuit it
have been passed beta wave signal to Arduino uno controller and
detect spike whenever we thought by exciting moment. Arduino
generate current and give to FES system which have surface
electrodes mount on paralyzed limb prosthesis to control by his
brain command. In fig. 6 real-time activity of EEG signal with
FES signal.
Fig. 6: EEG-spike v/s FES Current Real Time Controlling
V. Conclusion
This paper implements one method towards the position control of
the arm by using an EEG-based BCI together with neuromuscular
electrical stimulation to move the arm. Under research doctors i
have experiment on paralyzed person his not comfortable with
this system. I have found problem with FES implementation to
give result with high accuracy.
Future work will focus on refining the current control strategies
to improve on the accuracy and resolution of movement. Subjects
will be recruited for further trials with more training to standardize
EEG, with the aim of implement an almost constant control of
the limb.
VI. Acknowledgment
I am highly thankful to Mr. Kantipudi MVV Prasad for their
constant supervision as well as providing guidance regarding
project & also thanks to Dr. Tejas Mehta and Dr. Poonam Savaliya
for guide me right information about bio-medical science and
encouragement so complete project.
I am also thankful to my family members and my college friends
for their patience and co-operation which help me to complete
project.
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