A "multi-modulated electrical stimulator" was made for application in the prevention of muscle atrophy and restoration of motor functions on the upper motor neuron damage by cerebral palsy, traffic accident, cerebrovascular accident, and so on. EMG activities of the tibialis anterior muscle to stimulation of the peroneal nerve by the stimulator were analyzed in rats and a spinal injury patient of T5, S.
The followings are the characteristics of the stimulator.
1. It was possible to change the stimulus amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and stimulus interval in the range of 0 - -15V, 0.1 ? lms, 5 ? 100Hz, and 2 -- 30sec, respectively.
2. Stimulus amplitude of one interval was increased and decreased gradually in order to produce muscle contraction and relaxation step by step.
3. EMG activity was not changed for 15min by the stimulation of less than 15sec interval, but was decreased gradually by more than 15sec interval.
The stimulator with these features will be very useful for the restoration of motor functions in paralyzed extremities.
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