Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

A method to effect physiological recruitment order in electrically activated muscle.

Z P Fang1, J T Mortimer

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.

IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|February 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

A novel electrical stimulation method using quasitrapezoidal pulses and tripolar electrodes achieves physiological motor unit recruitment. This method selectively activates small motor units first, enhancing muscle fatigue resistance and improving functional neuromuscular stimulation systems.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Effect of recombinant human thrombin for hemostasis in liver resection: a randomized controlled phase Ⅲ clinical trial].

Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2023
Same author

[Survey on the status of the air pollutants in Lanzhou-Urumuqi high-speed railway carriage].

Zhonghua yu fang yi xue za zhi [Chinese journal of preventive medicine]·2017
Same author

Platinum for neural stimulation: voltammetry considerations.

Journal of neural engineering·2010
Same author

Improving the system stability of a digital Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor with a special lenslet array.

Applied optics·2008
Same author

Selective block of external anal sphincter activation during electrical stimulation of the sacral anterior roots in a canine model.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2005
Same author

The learning curve for investigational surgery: lessons learned from laparoscopic diaphragm pacing for chronic ventilator dependence.

Surgical endoscopy·2005

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Muscle Physiology

Background:

  • Achieving physiological motor unit recruitment order (small to large) is crucial for effective functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS).
  • Previous methods for controlling motor unit recruitment often involve complex blocking techniques with potential adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and evaluate a new electrical stimulation method for achieving physiological motor unit recruitment.
  • To demonstrate the selective activation of small motor axons and slow-twitch muscle units.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized quasitrapezoidal-shaped pulses delivered via a tripolar cuff electrode.
  • Measured isometric contraction force of the medial gastrocnemius muscle in five cats.
  • Analyzed twitch widths and force modulation characteristics at varying stimulation parameters.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Successfully achieved physiological recruitment order, evidenced by twitch width changes relative to force levels.
  • Demonstrated more gradual force modulation and fused contractions at lower stimulation frequencies.
  • Showed increased muscle fatigue resistance under repetitive low-force activation.

Conclusions:

  • The new stimulation method enables selective activation of small motor units, mimicking natural muscle activation patterns.
  • This technique offers a simpler and safer alternative to previous methods for FNS applications.
  • Potential for significant improvements in future functional neuromuscular stimulation systems.