Drop foot is a common gait abnormality among patients with central nervous system injuries, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy. It is primarily characterized by impaired dorsiflexion of the ankle, making it difficult for patients to lift the front part of their foot, which increases the risk of falls.

Traditionally, ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) have been used in clinical settings to stabilize the ankle and improve walking stability. While effective in reducing fall risks, AFOs often result in stiff and unnatural gait patterns and may lead to joint wear and degeneration over prolonged use. In response to these limitations, Professor Chih-Wei Peng and his research team at Taipei Medical University have developed an innovative "Smart Functional Electrical Stimulator for Drop Foot," which employs advanced technology to enhance walking ability with greater precision.

Innovative Technology: Intelligent Sensing for Automatic Adjustments, Addressing Long-Term Usage Challenges

The smart functional electrical stimulator for drop foot developed by the team features a footplate angle-sensing module that detects real-time variations in ankle dorsiflexion. The device automatically adjusts stimulation parameters based on the patient's gait cycle, walking speed, and step length, ensuring optimal correction of foot drop.

A key feature of this technology is its intelligent decision-making system, which precisely analyzes gait cycles and dynamically fine-tunes electrical stimulation parameters in real time. This innovation addresses a major challenge in long-term electrical stimulation therapy—muscle fatigue leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy. By continuously adjusting stimulation settings, the device maintains effective ankle dorsiflexion control, preventing overstimulation that could cause the recurrence of drop foot, ultimately reducing fall risks.

Additionally, the smart adjustment function minimizes the need for frequent hospital visits for device recalibration, significantly enhancing ease of use and reducing healthcare costs. As this technology gains wider adoption, it is expected to improve patients' quality of life while alleviating the medical and economic burden associated with fall-related injuries.

Future Outlook: Expanding into the Global Medical Market

Professor Chih-Wei Peng emphasized that the team’s goal is to address unmet needs in existing drop foot stimulators, enabling patients to walk more safely and naturally. He highlighted that the core value of this innovation lies in its "intelligent" and "personalized" approach, allowing dynamic adjustments tailored to each patient's needs, mitigating long-term muscle fatigue, and ensuring sustained gait correction.

The team has completed prototype development, secured patents, and successfully conducted clinical trials at Taipei Medical University. Moving forward, they plan to establish a spinoff startup within a year and seek regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Taiwan while advancing the design and development of a second-generation product.

Looking ahead, the team envisions expanding beyond Taiwan to the global market. International statistics indicate that drop foot affects up to 80% of stroke patients, with the number of new stroke cases increasing annually worldwide. With global adoption, this technology has the potential to restore mobility to millions of patients, significantly enhancing their quality of life.

Resource: 即時偵測腳踝背屈變化 智慧放電治療垂足更精準