STIWELL med4

STIWELL med4 offers unique improvements: The processing of myoelectric signals with four independently adjustable stimulation channels and two measurement channels open up a very broad field of application ranging from neurological indications to incontinence therapy.

STIWELL med4 user Alexandra at the beach.

STIWELL med4


Functional electrotherapy promotes the rehabilitation of motor functions following a stroke or after damages to the central nervous system e.g. incomplete paraplegia. Here, STIWELL med4 can offer unique improvements: The processing of myoelectric signals with four independently adjustable stimulation channels and two measurement channels open up a very broad field of application ranging from neurological indications to incontinence therapy. The multi-channel control also allows the stimulation of complex movement sequences.

The therapy goal, namely to restore lost mobility and autonomy, is accelerated with the use of biofeedback functions. These are based on the ability of the human brain to recreate structures in non-damaged areas that are no longer available in the damaged areas. Of crucial importance during the targeted training is the link of technical movement stimulation and deliberate movement intention.

The latter is recognized as a myoelectric muscle potential of the to-be-trained muscle. Patients receive feedback visually or auditory. Moreover, STIWELL med4 can recognize muscle activities which the patient had adopted as a means to compensate for lost functions yet which hinder the restoration of the original functionality. This feature for excluding compensatory movements during training furthermore contributes to the efficiency of STIWELL med4. Finally, STIWELL med4 is user-friendly and intuitive to operate. For its use at home, patients require only a simple therapeutic introduction.

EMG control

Two EMG channels allow for a comprehensive biofeedback therapy during which the neuroplasticity of the brain is used to restore motor control. The possibility to differentiate between compensatory muscle activities and to effect a targeted implementation of EMG-triggered stimulations furthermore contributes to the selective training.

EMG Inhibition.

EMG Inhibition

The innovative characteristics of the STIWELL med4 include the targeted suppression of undesirable activity by antagonistic or compensating muscle groups. Thus the EMG channels provide highly effective training. Stimulation in the target musculature only commences if the trigger threshold is not exceeded in the second EMG channel. Incorrect movements can be suppressed in a targeted manner. Spasticity can also be controlled by precisely monitoring the antagonist. Guaranteed support for voluntary muscle activities and the suppression of side effects is a prerequisite for successful therapy.

Laptop showing a scene from a biofeedback game on its screen.

Biofeedback Games

Coordination, endurance and strength are directly dependent on the intensity and duration of the training. Biofeedback Games at the PC have proven to be effective motivational tools in this treatment, allowing patients to reach an appropriate training goal over the long term. The games are specially adapted to the requirements of patients with neurological diseases.

Functional programs

In case of muscle weakness or loss of use caused by the central nervous system, it is possible to support muscle function through electric pulses. Functional electrical stimulation, with the help of these electric pulses, attempts to reestablish – partially or to a limited extent – or compensate for movement functions the body has lost due to injury or illness.

Since it can initialize and control muscle movements in a targeted manner, functional stimulation combined with physiotherapy treatment methods can contribute to a noticeably better therapy result. Centrally paralyzed musculature can be trained using electrical stimulation. In case of incomplete paralysis, the remaining functions can be improved. In addition, functional stimulation can help to relax a spastic muscle by reducing muscle tone.

All of the programs can also be used with EMG-triggered stimulation.

Feedback programs

Symptom-oriented biofeedback training with cognitive re-learning effects is an efficient type of therapy which supplements the therapeutic treatment of neurological damage and can by used by the patient as controlled home therapy. Depending on the neurological symptoms, maximum strength, muscular endurance, inter-muscular coordination, and muscle relaxation can be trained. The use of visual and acoustic feedback makes it possible for the patient to consciously recognize muscle tension and modulate the same.

Two diagrams give a graphical representation of the square pulse and triangular pulse output of the STIWELL med4.

Denerved musculature

In case of “denerved muscles”, stimulation is not possible via the damaged peripheral nerve. The pre-programmed, automatic processes of the STIWELL med4 programs are based on a training session with natural muscle activity. Triangular pulses are used to treat peripheral paralysis because they are able to stimulate peripherally paralyzed musculature with simultaneous minor stimulation of the sensitive nerve fibres of the surrounding tissue.

Special electrodes in use. Cross-section of a female pelvis in which the electrodes are placed.

Urology

Biofeedback and electrical stimulation, as well as a combination of both, are treatment methods that can be used to learn how to train and strengthen the pelvic floor voluntarily and in a controlled manner.

Intracorporal or surface-mounted electrodes can register extremely low levels of muscle activity which are normally not consciously perceived. The patient can see the strength of the muscle contractions on the display of the device, or hear them through acoustic feedback.

Electrical stimulation is used to additionally strengthen muscles; in particular, it improves the endurance of musculature which is frequently insufficient, and emphasizes the information the patient needs to learn. It is a therapy option for the treatment of urinary and anal incontinence, and can result in sustained success.

Muscle development

Electromyostimulation (NEMS) is a conservative treatment method that causes the musculature to contract through electrically induced pulses. A decrease of muscle strength during immobilization (e.g. post-operative immobilization) is avoided and the development of muscular imbalances can be prevented. The prevention and therapy of muscular atrophy using EMS can help to prevent secondary orthopaedic problems and to shorten the duration of stationary treatment.

Custom programs

This is where you have the option to create custom programs. All parameters can be customized, stored, and saved for repeated use under their own program names.


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