Iii. how does electrostimulation work, En g lis h – Compex mi-Sport User Manual

Page 94

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Neurostimulation

A

ll electrical specifications are given for

a charge between 500 and 1000 ohms

per channel.

Channels: Four independent and individually
adjustable channels electrically insulated from each
other and from ground

Impulse shape: Constant rectangular current
compensated to eliminate any direct current
component to avoid any residual skin polarisation

Maximum current of an impulse:
120 milliamperes

Intensity increase interval:
Manual stimulation intensity adjustment: 0-999
(energy units)
Minimum interval: 0.5 mA

Impulse duration: from 60 to 400 microseconds

Maximum quantity of electricity per impulse:
96 microcoulombs (2 x 48 µC compensated)

Typical rise time for an impulse: 3 microseconds
(between 20% and 80% of maximum current)

Impulse frequency: from 1 to 150 Hertz

T

he principle of electrostimulation is

to stimulate nerve fibres by means of

electrical impulses transmitted by

electrodes.

T

he electrical impulses generated by

Compex stimulators are high-quality

impulses – ensuring safety, comfort

and efficiency – that stimulate different

types of nerve fibres:

1. the motor nerves to stimulate a muscular
response. The quantity of work and the benefits
obtained depend on the stimulation parameters.
This is known as electromuscularstimulation (EMS).

2. certain types of sensitive nerve fibres to obtain
analgesic or pain-relieving effects

III. HOW DOES ELECTROSTIMULATION WORK ?

1. Motor nerve stimulation
(EMS)

I

n voluntary activity, the order for

muscular work comes from the brain,

which sends a command to the nerve

fibres in the form of an electrical signal.

This signal is then transmitted to the

muscular fibres, which contract.

T

he principle of electrostimulation

accurately reproduces the process

observed during a voluntary contrac-

tion. The stimulator sends an electrical

current impulse to the nerve fibres,

exciting them. This excitation is then

transmitted to the muscular fibres

causing a basic mechanical response

(= muscular twitch). The latter consti-

tutes the basic requirement for

muscular contraction.

T

his muscular response is completely

identical to muscular work controlled

by the brain. In other words, the

muscle cannot distinguish whether

the command comes from the brain

or from the stimulator.

T

he parameters of the Compex

programs (number of impulses per

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Manuel MI-SPORT:MI-SPORT-ME 0909 10/09/09 19:19 Page 94

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