Patent ID: 8155745

Claim:
A method to enable walking by a prosthetic leg fitted person, the prosthetic leg having a foot portion and a heel portion, comprising the steps of: selecting a radio frequency powered microstimulator that is suitable for long term, live tissue implantation; implanting said microstimulator in the gluteus medius or gluteus maximus; mounting an external coil near said microstimulator; coupling said microstimulator to said external coil; providing electric power and control signals to said microstimulator via said external coil; mounting a control unit to the prosthetic fitted person; attaching said control unit to a foot switch; mounting said foot switch to the heel or foot portion of the prosthetic leg; detecting heel lift with said foot switch; signaling said microstimulator to initiate hip abduction in the prosthetic leg fitted person; and stimulating the muscle with said microstimulator.