HOW DOES ELECTROSTIMULATION WORK?
Electrostimulation involves stimulating nerve fibres by electrical impulses transmitted by electrodes. The electrical impulses produced by Compex stimulators are high-quality impulses that are safe, comfortable and effective and stimulate various types of nerve fibres:
- Motor nerves to stimulate a muscular response, referred to as electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).
- Certain types of sensitive nerve fibres to obtain analgesic effects or pain relief.
1. STIMULATION OF MOTOR NERVES (EMS)
With voluntary activity, the brain orders muscles to contract and a command is then sent to nerve fibres in the form of an electrical signal. This signal is then sent to muscle fibres, which contract. The principle of electrostimulation accurately reproduces the process involved in a voluntary contraction. The stimulator sends an electrical impulse to nerve fibres to excite them. This excitation is then transmitted to muscle fibres and results in a basic mechanical response (= a twitch). This is the basic requirement for muscular contraction. The muscular response is to all intents and purposes identical to the muscular work controlled by the brain. In other words, the muscle does not distinguish between a command sent by the brain or the stimulator.
Programme settings (number of impulses per second, duration of contraction, rest time, total programme duration) subject the muscle to various types of work, depending on the muscle fibre. Various types of muscle fibres can be identified according to their respective contraction speeds: slow, intermediate and fast fibres. A sprinter clearly has more fast fibres and a marathon runner has more slow fibres. With good knowledge of human physiology and full control of stimulation settings of the various programmes, muscular work can be specifically pinpointed to achieve the desired objective (muscular strengthening, increased blood circulation, firming, etc.).
2. STIMULATION OF SENSORY NERVES
Electrical impulses can also excite sensory nerve fibres to obtain analgesic effects or pain relief. Stimulating tactile sensory nerve fibres blocks pain being transmitted to the nervous system. Stimulating another type of sensory fibre increases the production of endorphins and therefore reduces pain. With pain relief programmes, electrostimulation can be used to treat acute or chronic localised pain and muscle pain.
BENEFITS OF ELECTROSTIMULATION
Electrostimulation is a very effective method for making muscles work:
- With a significant improvement in various muscular qualities
- With no cardiovascular or mental fatigue
- With limited stress exerted on joints and tendons. Electrostimulation thereby enables more muscular work than voluntary activity.
- Regular physical exercise
- A balanced and healthy diet
- A balanced lifestyle
DEVICE DESCRIPTION
A Standby button
B Sockets for the 4 stimulation cables
C Stimulation cables
D +/- buttons for the 4 stimulation channels
E I-button, which allows:
• The intensities to be increased on several channels at the same time
• The last 5 programmes used to be accessed
F Charger socket (slide the red cover to the right to reveal the charger connector)
G Battery compartment H Socket for belt clip
BATTERY INSERTION
Open the battery compartment cover and insert the battery, with the label pointing upwards so that the + and – terminals are opposite the device’s contacts. Then replace the cover. If the device is not going to be used for over 3 months, ensure that the battery is fully charged. If the device is not going to be used for over 6 months, ensure that the battery is fully charged and remove it from the stimulator. Switch the stimulator off before removing the battery.
Remove all stimulation cables from the stimulator before recharging it. Connect the charger to a wall socket and connect the stimulator by sliding the red cover to the right to reveal the charger connector. It is strongly recommended to fully charge the battery before its first use to improve its performance and life span.
PRELIMINARY SETTINGS
Before your first use, you can define various settings. This options screen can then be displayed by switching the device off and by pressing and holding the on/off button for at least 2 seconds.
B Press the +/- button of channel 1 to select the language to be used.
C Press the +/- button of channel 2 to adjust screen contrast.
D Use the +/- button of channel 3 to adjust the volume.
E Press the +/- button of channel 4 to adjust the backlighting.
ON: backlighting always active.
OFF: backlighting always inactive.
AUTO: backlighting activated every time a button is pressed. A Press the on/off button to confirm and save your selections. Settings are immediately applied.
CHOOSING A CATEGORY
The following screens are generic examples but they work in the same way regardless of the device that you have. To switch the stimulator on, briefly press the on/off button. Before selecting a programme, you should select the desired category.
A Press the on/off button to switch the device off.
B Press the +/- button of channel 1 to select a category.
E Press the +/- button of channel 4 to confirm your selection.
TOP 5
To access the last 5 programmes used press the I-button. From there, select the desired programme and start it.
A Press the on/off button to return to the previous screen.
B Press the +/- button of channel 1 to select a programme.
E Press the +/- button of channel 4 to confirm the selection and start the stimulation session
ADJUSTING STIMULATION INTENSITIES
When you start a programme, you are asked to increase the stimulation intensities. This step is essential for a successful session.
1 Programme duration in minutes and seconds
2 Programme progression bar. For details of how it works, see the following paragraph: “Programme progression”
A Press the on/off button to switch the unit into Pause mode.
B C D E The four channels flash, going from + to 000. The stimulation intensity must be increased to be able to start stimulation. For this, press the + buttons of the relevant channels until the desired setting is reached.
PROGRAMME PROGRESSION
Stimulation starts properly once the stimulation intensity has been increased. The examples below explain the general rules. Depending on the programme, there may be slight differences.
1 Time remaining (in minutes and seconds) until the end of a programme
2 The duration bar showing the duration of the contraction and duration of active rest is only shown during the work sequence
3 Session sequences
4 Warm-up
5 Work period
6 Relaxation
BATTERY LEVEL AND CHARGING
Battery performance depends on the programme and the stimulation intensity applied. It is strongly recommended to fully charge the battery before its first use to improve its performance and life span. Always use the charger supplied by Compex to recharge the battery. If the device is not going to be used for over 3 months, ensure that the battery is fully charged. If the device is not going to be used for over 6 months, ensure that the battery is fully charged and remove it from the stimulator. Switch the stimulator off before removing the battery
BATTERY LEVEL
The battery charge level is shown by a battery icon in the bottom left of the screen. The battery icon flashes when the battery is completely flat. The device can then no longer be used. Recharge it immediately.
RECHARGING
Remove all stimulation cables from the stimulator before recharging it. Connect the charger to a wall socket and connect the stimulator by sliding the red cover to the right to reveal the charger connector.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The device emits a tone and alternately displays the pair of electrodes symbol and an arrow pointing towards the channel on which a problem has been detected.
In the above example, the stimulator has detected an error on channel 1. Check that the electrodes are connected to this channel. If electrodes are old, worn and/or if the contact is poor: try using new electrodes
STIMULATION DOES NOT PRODUCE THE USUAL SENSATION
Check that all settings are correct and check electrodes are properly positioned. Change the position of the electrodes slightly.
STIMULATION CAUSES DISCOMFORT
Electrodes lose their adhesive capacity and no longer provide suitable contact with skin. Electrodes are worn and must be replaced. Change the position of the electrodes slightly
When an error screen is displayed during use, note the error number (in the example, the error number is 1/0/0) and contact the Compex-approved customer service centre.
THE BATTERY IS VERY FLAT
If the following screen appears, switch the device off and connect the charger.If a battery is very flat, a recovery cycle will start, lasting 2 minutes.
DEVICE MAINTENANCE
GUARANTEE See the attached leaflet.
MAINTENANCE
our stimulator does not require neither calibration nor periodic maintenance. However when needed clean with a soft cloth and solvent-free alcohol-based detergent. Use as little liquid as possible to clean the device. Do not disassemble the stimulator or the charger as they contain high-voltage components which could cause electrocution. This must be carried out by Compex-approved technicians or repair services. If your stimulator contains parts that appear to be worn or faulty, please contact the closest Compex customer service centre.
DISPOSAL
Batteries must be disposed of in accordance with national regulatory requirements in force. Any product bearing the WEEE label (a crossed-out wheeled bin) must be separated from household waste and sent to special collection facilities for recycling and recovery.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
94121x rechargeable Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery (4.8 V / ≥ 1200 mA/h). Battery chargers: only battery chargers with the part number 6830xx can be used to recharge the batteries supplied with the stimulator.
Product and accessories (excluded battery) expected service life: 5 years Electrode shelf life: refer to electrodes bag
All the electrical specifications are supplied with an impedance from 500 to 1000 ohms per channel.
Channels: four independent and individually adjustable channels, electrically isolated from each other. Impulsion form: constant rectangular current with pulse compensation to eliminate any direct current component to prevent residual polarisation at skin level.
Maximum pulse intensity: 120 mA.
Pulse intensity increments: manual adjustment of stimulation intensity from 0 to 999 (energy) by minimum increments of 0.5 mA.
Pulse amplitude: from 60 to 400 μs.
Maximum electrical charge per pulse: 96 microcoulombs (2 x 48 μC, compensated).
Standard pulse ramp-up time: 3 μs (20 %-80 % of maximum current).
Pulse frequency: 1 to 150 Hz
INFORMATION ABOUT ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC)
The stimulator is designed to be used in typical domestic environments approved in accordance with the safety standard EMC EN 60601-1-2.
This device emits very low levels in the radio frequency (RF) interval and is therefore not likely to cause interference with nearby electronic equipment (radios, computers, telephones, etc.).
The stimulator is designed to withstand foreseeable disturbances originating from electrostatic discharge, magnetic fields from the power supply or radio frequency emitters.
However, it is not possible to guarantee that the stimulator will not be affected by powerful RF (radio frequency) fields originating, for example, from mobile phones.
For more detailed information about electromagnetic emissions and immunity, please contact Compex.
STANDARDS
To ensure your safety, the stimulator has been designed, manufactured and distributed in accordance with the requirements of the amended European Directive 93/42/EEC covering medical devices.
The stimulator also complies with the IEC 60601-1 standard covering general safety requirements for electromedical devices, with the IEC 60601-1-2 standard covering electromagnetic compatibility and the IEC 60601-2-10 standard covering special safety requirements for nerve and muscle stimulators.
In accordance with current international standards in force, a warning must be given about applying electrodes to the thorax (increased risk of cardiac fibrillation).
The stimulator also complies with Directive 2012/19/EU covering waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
EMC TABLE
The Compex stimulator needs special precautions regarding EMC and needs to be installed and put into service according to the EMC information provided.
Portable and mobile RF communications equipment can affect the Compex stimulator.
The use of Accessories, transducers, and cables other than those specified by the manufacturer, may result in increased Emissions or decreased Immunity of the Compex stimulator.
The Compex stimulator should not be used adjacent to or stacked with other equipment and if adjacent or stacked use is necessary, the Compex stimulator should be observed to verify normal operation in the configuration in which it will be used.
