Patrick E. Crago, PhD

The MetroHealth System

Staff Scientist, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Case Western Reserve University

Professor Emeritus, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Broad Research Programs

Paralysis after Spinal Cord Injury
Paralysis After Stroke
Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies

Summary

Dr. Crago’s research focuses on the control of movement, including normal neurophysiological and biomechanical mechanisms (neuromechanics), as well as the restoration of arm/hand function by functional neuromuscular stimulation in individuals with spinal cord injury or stroke. The techniques employed range from basic studies in animal models to mathematical modeling studies, and experimental clinical studies in people with stroke and SCI. In particular, he has developed feedforward and feedback control systems for hand grasp, wrist flexion/extension, and elbow extension in SCI. Most recently he has developed control systems that integrate residual voluntary control with EMG-based FES control to provide natural coordination of multiple muscle systems and simultaneously reduce the degree of unnecessary antagonist co-contraction. He is currently studying the action potential patterns induced by stimulation of axons that are also activated physiologically to understand the net effects of stimulation on neural activity.

Publications

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C36&q=Patrick+Crago&btnG

Professional Society Memberships

    Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering
    Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society
    IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

Specific Research Topics

Contact Information

Department of Biomedical Engineering
Case Western Reserve University
Wickenden 108
Cleveland OH, 44106
Phone: 216-368-3977
Email: [email protected]