VQ Vector ™ Patient Operating Manual
VQ OrthoCareSM is not liable for any misuse or misunderstanding of the VQ VectorTM product or operating manual. Please call your local representative if any additional assistance is required regarding this product and its operating instructions. 18011 Mitchell South, Irvine, CA 92614 800.266.6969 • FAX 800.821.8012 This operating manual is proprietary and confidential.
VQ Vector ™ Table of Contents Page System Components……………………………...……………...2 Letter to the Patient .......................................................................3 Precautions and Prescription Information……….…………… ..4 Controls and Features………………….....………………….......7 Proper Skin Care...........................................................................10 Electrodes......................................................................................11 Treatment Sessions ........................
VQ Vector ™ System Components The VQTM Vector stimulation system is operated with: • One (1) VQ Vector stimulator • One (1) package of electrodes • One (1) lead wire (4 lead) • Four (4) AA alkaline batteries, or one (1) battery pack In addition, the system comes with: • One (1) carrying case • One (1) operating manual • One (1) AC adapter Display Screen Lead Wire Receptacle A/C Line Cord Receptacle Key Pad Belt Clip A/C Line Cord Battery Compartmen Lead Wires FRONT BACK ELECTRODES 2 BATTERY PACK
Letter to the Patient Your physician has selected the VQTM Vector device because it is the most applicable to your specific need. Your VQ Vector is a portable stimulator that generates small pulses of electrical current that are delivered through lead wires and the electrodes you place on your skin. These electrical pulses pass through your skin and activate underlying nerves. At lower levels of stimulation, the VQ Vector stimulates sensory nerves, producing a tingling sensation.
VQ Vector ™ Precautions and Prescription Information NOTE: Please read the following prescription information carefully before using your VQTM Vector. If you have any questions on this information, consult with your physician or therapist before proceeding. CAUTION Federal law restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a practitioner licensed by law of the State in which he/she practices to use or order the use of the device.
Contraindication • Should not be used on patients with cardiac demand pacemakers Warnings • The long term effects of chronic electrical stimulation are unknown • Stimulation should not be applied over the carotid sinus nerves, particularly in patients with a known sensitivity to the carotid sinus reflex • Stimulation should not be applied over the neck or mouth; severe spasm of the laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles may occur and the contractions may be strong enough to close the airway or cause difficulty in
VQ Vector ™ Precautions and Prescription Information (cont.
Controls and Features ON/OFF Button Press the On/Off button when you are ready to begin your therapy session. The VQTM Vector always turns on with 0 intensity. Pressing the On/Off button at any time during the therapy session will immediately stop stimulation and turn the device off. If you press and hold the On/Off button you will see your serial # displayed on the screen. Display Button Press this button to display each of the parameters for the preset.
VQ Vector ™ Controls and Features (cont.) Vector X Button Pressing this button during treatment will rotate the stimulation pattern to the right so that you will feel the stimulation more intensely in the right side of your treatment area and less in the left side. Pressing and holding this button will make the stimulation pattern sweep from side to side every 60 seconds. Pause Button Press and release this button to instantly stop stimulation. The device remains on and the timers are paused.
Belt Clip The belt clip is used to attach the VQTM Vector to a belt loop for mobility during a therapy session. By rotating the belt clip to the upper position the VQ Vector can be used as a tabletop device. Lead Wire Socket The electrode lead wire is plugged into this socket. There is an index mark on the unit that will align with the index mark on the lead wire. Power Supply For your convenience, the VQ Vector can be operated with an AC adapter.
VQ Vector ™ Proper Skin Care By properly caring for skin covered by electrodes, you will: • Allow more stimulation to reach targeted nerves • Prolong the life of your electrodes • Reduce the chance that any skin irritation will develop To reduce the risk of skin irritation, observe the following instructions for proper skin care before each treatment.
Electrodes • Electrodes should always be placed at least one (1) inch apart • Do not place electrodes on cut, broken or irritated skin • Never remove the electrode by pulling on the lead wire, as this may damage your electrode • If your electrodes dry out, you can rub a few drops of water into them to remoisten them for continued use • After repeated usage, reusable electrodes begin to lose their adhesion deliver less stimulation and shorten battery life; when this happens and remoistening them does not wor
VQ Vector ™ Treatment Sessions 1. Insert (4) AA batteries or (1) VQ OrthoCareSM battery pack into the VQTM Vector as shown in the battery compartment and then replace the battery door. If desired, use the AC adapter that came with your VQ Vector instead of batteries. 2. Prepare the skin: Wash the electrode application sites with mild soap and water then dry your skin thoroughly. Remove any excess body hair with a pair of scissors, being careful not to cut your skin. 3.
When your therapy session is completed: • Grasp the edge of the electrode and gently remove it from your skin; then return it to the plastic storage sheet • Replace the electrodes in the plastic storage sheet in the re-sealable pouch provided 13
VQ Vector ™ Care and Maintenance CAUTION Do not immerse the VQTM Vector stimulator, lead wires, AC adapter, or batteries in water. Cleaning Clean the outside of the VQ Vector casing as needed with a damp cloth and mild soap. Never immerse your stimulator or batteries in water, alcohol or other fluids since this could seriously damage the internal electronics. Avoid using cleaning fluids or solvents to remove stains and dirt because such liquids may damage the casing.
Technical Data and Specifications Physical Power Source: Size: Weight: One (1) VQ OrthoCareSM battery pack or VQ OrthoCare AC adapter 5.25" x 2.8" x 1.75" (including belt clip) 10.8 oz. with batteries Electrode Use with any electrode approved for use with electrical stimulators. Electrical Tolerances: All electrical specifications are ± 10% into a 500 Ohm load for each channel and using the AC adapter, unless stated otherwise.
VQ Vector ™ Technical Data and Specifications (cont.) Output Type IF NM Interferential Neuromuscular Interferential (Uses a 6 sec on/off cycle) There is a 2 sec ramp-up time for each cycle of stimulation. Pulse Intensity 0-50 mA peak in .
Vectoring Increases one channel's amplitude while simultaneously decreasing (by the same percentage) the other channel's amplitude with a single key press. The range of adjustment will be 25% of the user setting. At the maximum level of change, one channel will be at 75% of original setting and the other channel will be at 125% of original setting.
VQ Vector ™ Waveforms Output of Carrier Frequency Figure 1 30 25 20 15 amplitude (volts) 10 5 0 -5 50 100 150 200 time (microseconds) 300 350 400 450 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 load = 500 Ohms load = 2000 Ohms load = 10000 Ohms Figure 1: Electric output of carrier frequency with various loads with Amplitude Control set at 50% of maximum.
IF Mode Freq. 160% of User Setting Mode: 1|1 User Setting 60% of User Setting time (each hash mark = 1 second) Freq. 160% of User Setting Mode: 6|6 User Setting 60% of User Setting time (each hash mark = 1 second) Freq. 160% of User Setting Mode: 6/6 User Setting 60% of User Setting time (each hash mark = 1 second) Figure 2: Electric output of carrier frequency on 1000 ohm resistive load with Amplitude Control set at 50% of maximum. Note constancy of voltage relative to Figure 1.
VQ Vector ™ Waveforms (cont.) NMES Mode Freq. User Setting Mode: C Off time (each hash mark = 1 second) Freq. 160% of User Setting Mode: 1|1 User Setting 60% of User Setting Off time (each hash mark = 1 second) 160% of User Setting Freq. Mode: 6|6 Off time (each hash mark = 1 second) Freq.
Figure 4: Electrical output during bipolar (2-electrode) stimulation measured across the capacitive element of the AAMI load. This shows the interaction of the carrier frequency and adjustable frequency which takes place internal to the stimulator. The interference frequency is evident as an “envelope” of stimulation occurring at 100 Hz. This figure is provided to illustrate interferential stimulation, but does not correspond exactly to the output which an oscilloscope would record with a skin load.
VQ Vector ™ Waveforms (cont.) Figure 5: A conceptual diagram of quadrapolar (4-electrode) stimulation with interference taking place within the tissue.
Notes 23
VQ Vector ™ 24 Notes
Warranty VQ OrthoCareSM (VQ) warrants the VQTM Vector, to be free from defects in workmanship and/or materials for three (3) years from the date of purchase. VQ will repair or replace any units found to have become defective within the above stated warranty period, subject to the below-referenced terms, conditions and exceptions. The VQ Vector has been designed for use with VQ approved accessories, such as lead wires, electrodes and batteries.
VQ Vector ™ Patient Operating Manual 18011 Mitchell South, Irvine, CA 92614 Call 800.266.6969 Fax 800.821.8012 www.vqorthocare.com customerservice@vqorthocare.
