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The MeCFES project - A neuroprothesis

Functional Electrical Stimulation Controlled by Myoelectric Signals

A Neuroprosthesis for Motor Rehabilitation

The MeCFES project (Myoelectrically Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation) is a neuroprosthetic technology developed to help people with motor impairments caused by lesions of the central nervous system, such as:

A person with a cervical spinal cord injury is able to grasp a pen and write thanks to the MeCFES system

A person with a cervical spinal cord injury is able to grasp a pen and write thanks to the MeCFES system, which amplifies residual muscle signals and transforms them into functional hand movement.

The system focuses primarily on rehabilitation of the upper limbs (hand and arm), although the principle can also be extended to the lower limbs.

What is MeCFES?

MeCFES is a device that combines two key elements:

The system uses these signals to amplify the remaining voluntary movement, helping the user perform stronger and more functional actions.

Even when a muscle is weak or partially paralyzed, MeCFES can enhance its output.

How it works

When a muscle attempts to contract, it generates a very weak electrical signal. This signal is detected by electrodes placed on the skin.

The MeCFES system:

The result is a stronger movement, still fully driven by the user’s intention.

A simple analogy is a microphone and amplifier:
the weak muscle signal is amplified into a stronger functional output.

The MeCFES system operates in real time through the following steps:

  1. The user attempts to move a muscle
  2. The muscle generates a weak EMG signal
  3. Surface electrodes detect this signal on the skin
  4. The system processes the signal and estimates movement intention
  5. Electrical stimulation is applied proportionally
  6. The muscle contraction is reinforced and amplified

The final result is a movement that is still driven by the user’s intention, but significantly stronger and more functional.



Why it matters

In neurological rehabilitation, especially after stroke or spinal cord injury, patients often retain only minimal voluntary muscle activation.

MeCFES allows this small residual activity to become functional by:

Sensory and motor feedback

Because the stimulation activates the muscles directly, the system also provides sensory and proprioceptive feedback.

This helps the brain:

  • perceive movement more clearly
  • strengthen motor pathways
  • improve coordination over time

Results and applications

Clinical studies have shown that:

The main challenge

A key technical difficulty is that both processes happen at the same time in the same muscles.

This creates a major challenge: the system must detect very small biological signals while simultaneously applying much stronger electrical currents in the same area.

It is similar to trying to hear a whisper while someone is shouting next to you.

Technological development

The system consists of:

One of the main challenges is recording very weak muscle signals while simultaneously delivering strong electrical stimulation at the same site.

Currently, prototypes are functional but still require manually placed electrodes and wired connections.


Configuration and adaptation

The system parameters can be adjusted using a computer interface to:

This allows personalization depending on the level of impairment and rehabilitation goals.


Towards a wearable system

A key goal is to make MeCFES:

This step is essential to bring the technology out of the laboratory and into everyday life.

Future perspectives

The MeCFES project is moving toward a more open and collaborative direction, aiming to:

The vision is a rehabilitation approach that is increasingly participatory, personalized, and accessible.

Scientific references

See also:  Selected Publications