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Operational Mode Descriptions
The NeuroMove® has four operational modes. Three of the modes Stroke
Rehab, SCI, and Manual are EMG triggered neuro-muscular stimulator modes.
The fourth, Stim-Only, is a neuromuscular stimulator-only mode.
Stroke Rehabilitation Mode
Electrodes are attached to the target muscle group to be monitored and
exercised. The electrodes detect minute electrical signals generated by the
patient in an effort to move the limb controlled by the monitored muscle
group. The signals are shown on the unit’s graphic display in the form of
vertical columns. The higher the column, the higher the signal level detected.
A new column is added to the display every half second. The display is right-
justified. I.e., new columns are added to the right-most column of the display
after previous columns have been shifted to the left by one. Since the display
is 120 columns wide, the display shows the last 60 seconds of history at any
time.
A horizontal “threshold” line is drawn across the display. This denotes the level
at which the unit is “triggered” to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the
monitored muscle group. Triggered means that the detected signal level from
the muscle group monitored is either equal to or greater than the signal level
indicated by the horizontal threshold line. When triggered, one stimulation
cycle is delivered by the unit.
The therapy cycle consists of three phases: Ready, Stimulation, and Rest.
During the Ready phase the system is monitoring the target muscle group for
electrical impulses indicating movement attempts. The signal levels detected
are represented as vertical columns on the display. This phase represents what
is known as biofeedback. The patient sees what he’s accomplishing on the
display and therefore can adjust his efforts in an attempt to exert harder and
thus attain higher signal levels.