Hemodynamic effects of habituation to a week-long program of neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Objectives: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the calf muscles has been shown to cause instantaneous increases in venous outflow from the lower leg and could be used as an adjunct to current gold-standard compression therapies for the prevention of venous stasis and its related pathologies. However, little is known about the effects of NMES in combination with compression therapies on subject comfort, compliance and popliteal venous blood flow over the course of a week-long NMES protocol. This study aimed to assess the effects of a NMES and compression protocol for the prevention of venous stasis on the compliance, comfort and venous blood flow of healthy volunteers over the course of seven days.

Venous emptying from the foot: influences of weight bearing, toe curls, electrical stimulation, passive compression, and posture.

This study investigated the hemodynamic properties of the plantar venous plexus (PVP), a peripheral venous pump in the human foot, with Doppler ultrasound. We investigated how different ways of introducing mechanical changes vary in effectiveness of displacing blood volume from the PVP. The contribution of the PVP was analyzed during both natural and device-elicited compressions.

Detecting electroporation by assessing the time constants in the exponential response of human skin to voltage controlled impulse electrical stimulation.

We propose a new method for extracting the electrical properties of human skin based on the time constant analysis of its exponential response to impulse stimulation. As a result of this analysis an adjacent finding has arisen. We have found that stratum corneum electroporation can be detected using this analysis method.

Popliteal blood flow and plantar flexion force due to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the calf muscle pump are strongly associated with NMES intensity.

In spite of significant gains in venous flow using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) of the calf muscles, little is known about the relationship between the applied electrical stimulus and the resulting venous blood flow in the deep veins of the leg. This retrospective study of repeated measures of blood flow, muscle force and NMES signals of 14 healthy subjects undergoing a week long NMES protocol aimed to determine the relationship between the applied NMES signals and the resulting muscle force and blood flow measures. Statistical analyses revealed strong correlations between NMES blood flow, NMES plantar flexion force and the applied NMES intensity.

The anatomy and physiology of the venous foot pump.

The presence of a venous pumping mechanism in the foot may be significant for venous return in the lower extremities. However, there has been a lack of conclusive research in the area to date and controversy still exists over the detailed anatomy and physiologic mechanism of the venous foot pump. A full understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the venous foot pump is essential for designing effective interventions for the prevention, treatment, and management of venous disease in the lower limbs.

A haemodynamic study of the physiological mechanisms of the venous pump in the healthy human foot.

Presented is a physiological study of the plantar venous plexus in the context of venous return. It is accepted that the plantar venous plexus acts as a peripheral venous pump, capable of emptying blood from the foot into the posterior tibial veins. Controversy still exists, however, over the precise physiological mechanism which is responsible for completely emptying the deep plantar veins of the foot.

The effect of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation and compression hosiery applied to the lower limb, on the comfort and blood flow of healthy subjects.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a severe disease affecting the venous system of the lower limbs. Compression therapy aims to counteract the venous hypertension caused by CVI. However, in spite of significant advances in compression treatments in recent years, CVI and its associated diseases are frequently characterized by slow healing rates and a need for more aggressive therapies such as surgery.

A programmable and portable NMES device for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications.

The Duo-STIM, a new, programmable and portable neuromuscular stimulation system for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications is presented. The system consists of a programmer unit and a portable, programmable stimulator unit. The portable stimulator features fully programmable, sensor-controlled, constant-voltage, dual-channel stimulation and accommodates a range of customized stimulation profiles.

A programmable and portable NMES device for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications.

The Duo-STIM, a new, programmable and portable neuromuscular stimulation system for drop foot correction and blood flow assist applications is presented. The system consists of a programmer unit and a portable, programmable stimulator unit. The portable stimulator features fully programmable, sensor-controlled, constant-voltage, dual-channel stimulation and accommodates a range of customized stimulation profiles.