Monitoring on the Move
Given the recent investigation into the physiological effects
of space on famed astronaut John Glenn, it is evident that NASA
scientists are interested in researching how microgravity affects
the human body. Among the areas of interest is the muscular performance
of astronauts. Muscular activity, however, is not easily monitored
in space with traditional and cumbersome electromyographic (EMG)
machines. This has changed with the assistance of Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) funding from NASA's Johnson Space
Center. NASA, along with other government agencies, has helped
Delsys, Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts, develop the MyoMonitor®
EMG system--a wearable 4-channel device that offers a new dimension
in electromyography. Delsys, a spinoff company from the NeuroMuscular
Research Center at Boston University, is also developing an 8-channel
version of the MyoMonitor.
Currently, the battery-powered device is capable of storing
over 3 hours of continuous 4-channel data and has a convenient
carrying case that offers the freedom to monitor muscle performance
with a portable cable-free unit. The MyoMonitor is being marketed
for monitoring rehabilitative therapy, work place injury prevention,
sports medicine, ergonomics, exercise training, and motion studies.
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The MyoMonitor®
can monitor carpal tunnel syndrome in a workplace setting without
negatively affecting workers' ability to perform routine tasks. |
Now muscle performance can be monitored away from the laboratory
in unconstrained environments. The complete instrument can be
worn around the waist and weighs approximately one kilogram.
It is now possible to monitor muscle activity during a tennis
serve, a baseball pitch, or a golf swing.
All of the company's systems use an active parallel bar electrode.
This type of electrode requires no skin preparation or conductive
gel. Two of these electrodes are offered for the Delsys Bagnoli-series
EMG systems: a two-bar differential electrode and a three-bar
double differential electrode. The three-bar electrode is particularly
useful for reducing the cross-talk from overlapping signals of
adjacent muscles. The Bagnoli-series in the Delsys product line
consists of 2-, 4-, and 8-channel systems. The MyoMonitor uses
a two-bar single differential electrode.
The Delsys system can
be used by physical therapists and sports medicine clinicians
to evaluate the condition of a patient recovering from an injury. |
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The
MyoMonitor®
is being evaluated to study the muscles of astronauts in the
weightless environment of space. |
During vigorous activity, the movement of the skin causes
electrode detection surfaces to become compromised. Because of
the accumulation of sweat, for instance, EMG signals become contaminated.
This makes the electrode-skin interface the limiting factor in
traditional EMG equipment. The MyoMonitor's capacity for detection
is significant because it can monitor muscle activity, despite
rigorous conditions. The system has an easy-to-apply, effective
electrode-skin interface that facilitates the uncontaminated
detection of EMG signals. The ability to make such recordings,
for example, enables novel experiments aboard the International
Space Station for investigating the effect of microgravity on
muscle performance.
Once collected, data can be transferred to a regular personal
computer and analyzed with the EMGworks® software
package, which provides real-time data collection and a comprehensive
suite of analysis programs. These products are proof of the company's
goal of providing the highest quality EMG equipment and promoting
the proper use of surface electromyography. Additionally, the
company actively seeks partners for developing EMG-based consumer
products.
MyoMonitor® is a registered trademark of Delsys,
Inc. EMGworks® is a registered
trademark of Delsys, Inc.
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