Technical information

English
173
English
172
IV. HOW DOES ELECTROSTIMULATION WORK
The principle of electrostimulation is
to stimulate nerve fibres by means of
electrical impulses transmitted by
electrodes.
The electrical impulses generated by
Compex stimulators are high-quality
impulses – ensuring safety, comfort
and efficiency – that stimulate diffe-
rent types of nerve fibres:
1. the motor nerves to stimulate a muscular res-
ponse. The quantity of work and the benefits ob-
tained depend on the stimulation parameters.
This is known as electromuscularstimulation
(EMS).
2. certain types of sensitive nerve fibres to obtain
analgesic or pain-relieving effects.
1. Motor nerve stimulation
(EMS)
In voluntary activity, the order for
muscular work comes from the brain,
which sends a command to the nerve
fibres in the form of an electrical si-
gnal. This signal is then transmitted to
the muscular fibres, which contract.
The principle of electrostimulation ac-
curately reproduces the process ob-
served during a voluntary contraction.
The stimulator sends an electrical cur-
rent impulse to the nerve fibres, exci-
ting them. This excitation is then
transmitted to the muscular fibres
causing a basic mechanical response
(= muscular twitch). The latter consti-
tutes the basic requirement for mus-
cular contraction.
This muscular response is completely
identical to muscular work controlled
by the brain. In other words, the mus-
cle cannot distinguish whether the
command comes from the brain or
from the stimulator.
The parameters of the Compex pro-
grammes (number of impulses per se-
cond, contraction time, rest time, total
Electrical
impulse
Motor
nerve
Stimulated
muscle
Basic mechanical response = muscular twitch
Excitation
Excitation
transmission
programme time) subject the muscles
to different types of work, according
to muscular fibres. In fact, different
types of muscular fibres may be distin-
guished according to their respective
contraction speed: slow, intermediate
and fast fibres. The fast fibres will
obviously predominate in a sprinter,
while a marathon runner will have
more slow fibres. With a good know-
ledge of human physiology and a
perfect mastery of the stimulation
parameters of the various programmes,
the muscular work can be directed
very precisely towards the desired
goal (muscular reinforcement, increa-
sed blood flow, firming up, etc.).
2. Stimulation of the
sensitive nerves
The electrical impulses can also excite
the sensitive nerve fibres to obtain an
analgesic or pain-relieving effect.
The stimulation of the tactile sensitive
nerve fibres blocks the transmission of
pain by the nervous system. The
stimulation of another type of sensitive
fibres creates an increase in the
production of endorphins and,
therefore, a reduction of pain.
1) there is no electrode connected to this
channel;
2) the electrodes are old, worn out and/or the
contact is poor: try using new electrodes;
3) the electrode cable is defective: try it using
another channel. If cable shows a default again,
please replace.
Recharging error
A recharging error may happen du-
ring charging. The Compex “bleeps”
continuously and the following
screen is displayed:
If this message appears, disconnect
the charger and the device switches
off automatically. Please contact the
hotline, noting this error code.
If, for any reason, you experience
any other trouble with your device,
please contact the hotline mentioned
and approved by Compex Médical SA.
11a The small battery symbol has only two re-
ference marks: The batteries are losing their
charge. Interrupt the session and recharge the
device (see the following section).
11b The , symbol normally displayed
above the “+”/“–” key of channel 4 has disappea-
red ( ) and the small battery flashes: The
batteries are completely flat. It is no longer pos-
sible to use the device. Recharge it immediately
(see the following section).
Recharging
To recharge the Compex, first discon-
nect the electrode cables from the
device, then plug the charger in a
socket and lastly connect the stimula-
tor to the charger (see in section I:
“Connecting the charger”). The
charge menu illustrated below appears
automatically.
START
13a
14a
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
12a The Compex has been charging for 3 mi-
nutes and 8 seconds (a full charge may take from
1h30 to 2 hours with the rapid charger delivered
with your device).
12b Charging is in progress and the small
battery symbol is not completely full.
When charging is completed, total charge dura-
tion flashes and the small battery is completely
full. The Compex switches off automatically as
soon as you disconnect the charger.
8. Problems and solutions
Electrode fault
13a-14a The Compex “bleeps” and alternati-
vely displays the symbol of a couple of elec-
trodes and an arrow pointing to the channel
where a problem has been detected. Below, the
stimulator has detected an electrode fault on
channel 2
This message may mean that:
12a
12b
Fig. 12
Sport Elite-EN:Sport Elite 0706 12/10/06 11:44 Page 172