A robust transcutaneous electro-muscle stimulator (RTES): a multi-modality tool

• Published in: Medical engineering & physics Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 314 - 318
• Main Authors: McPartland, M.D., Mook, D.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1995; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical Engineering; electric stimulation; Electric Stimulation - instrumentation; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electrophysiology - instrumentation; equipment design; evaluation studies; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Models, Biological; Muscle contraction; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation - instrumentation; transcutaneous nerve stimulation; electric stimulation; evaluation studies; equipment design; Muscle contraction; transcutaneous nerve stimulation; Evaluation; Biogalvanic stimulator; Stimulus control; Stimulus intensity; Experimental study; Percutaneous route; Osteoarticular system; Design; Galvanic vestibular test; Stimulus duration; Stimulus complexity; Biomedical engineering; Tetanic muscular contraction
• ISSN: 1350-4533; 1873-4030
• DOI: 10.1016/1350-4533(95)90857-8

This paper introduces a transcutaneous electro-muscle stimulator design that has a wide range of output capabilities. Because of this, the unit is referred to as a robust transcutaneous electro-muscle stimulator (RTES). The RTES is a constant current stimulator that is designed to be capable of generating significant tetanic contractions from large muscle groups, such as the quadriceps. It is capable of generating complex current pulse profiles and has been tested at pulse frequencies greater than 7500 Hz. It is routinely used to generate rectangular, bi-phasic pulses in muscle-modelling studies in ranges of widths from 3 to 1000 μs, amplitudes from −50 to +50 mA and frequencies from 10 to 60 Hz. The design extrema on pulse width and amplitude, are 1000 μs and ±100 mA respectively. Because of the stimulator's robust output characteristics, it is suitable for many types of electro-stimulation studies including pain management, edema reduction and more.