Note: if the unit is an NS242 with serial number smaller than 031202001629 or an NS252 with serial number
smaller than 031202001627, refer to NS252/242 V1.0 & V1.1 Software Technical Manual on page 26
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare have a policy of continued product improvement and reserve the right to alter
specifications without notice
Changes made to this technical manual
Wheelie bin symbol added
Maximum voltage in both internal and external mode are better defined
Separate Set Current Offset and Alarm Limits back to the format as per revision G
Include Technical Manual for NS242 and NS252 with V1.0/1.1 Software
3.1For All Types.....................................................................................................................................14
6SERVICE INFORMATION (FOR ALL TYPES) - V2.0......................................................18
7PART LIST - V2.0..........................................................................................................19
7.1For All Types.....................................................................................................................................19
8.1For All Types.....................................................................................................................................20
Caution Dangerous high voltages may exist within this device for up to 1 minute after removal of batteries.
Page 6 of 40
Read the operating manual carefully before operating the unit.
Electrostatic sensitive devices
Type BF Equipment (IEC Standard).
(EU WEEE Standard) Do not throw away. See distributor for appropriate disposal for electrical and
electronic components
The microprocessor may continue to run for up to 10 minutes after removal of batteries. It is
recommended that the batteries be removed at least 10 minutes prior to disassembly.
CautionThis device contains CMOS and other components which are sensitive to static charges. It is
recommended appropriate procedures be followed for disassembly and service.
Caution An explosion is possible if used in the presence of flammable anaesthetics. An explosion may be
caused by an arc which could occur if the electrodes come into direct contact as a pulse is being
delivered.
Warning In External Mode, this device is to be used with non-invasive electrodes only. If needle electrodes
are used in External Mode, localised tissue burning and excessive patient discomfort may result.
This part of the manual defines the technical specifications for the NS252 & NS242 Peripheral Nerve Stimulator,
NS272 Peripheral Nerve Stimulator & Nerve Locator and NS232 Nerve Locator with version 2.0 software. Refer to
the Operating Manual for NS272, NS252, NS242 and NS232 for detailed instructions on how to use the unit.
Any NS242 unit with a serial number smaller than 031202001629 runs on version 1.0 or 1.1 software. Any
NS252 unit with a serial number smaller than 031202001627 runs on version 1.0 or 1.1 software. Please refer
to the sections from page 26 onwards, for the technical specification.
1.1 GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION (FOR ALL NERVE STIM TYPES)
Battery Type:3 times 1.5 V AA type alkaline cells (IEC type LR6)
Battery Life:Up to 160 hours continuous use with alkaline batteries
Note: This figure varies greatly depending on choice of
External or Internal Mode in NS272, waveforms used
and current delivered.
Up to 160 hours continuous use with alkaline batteries in
NS232, NS242, NS252
Operating Temperature Range:
Operating Humidity Range: 0% RH to 65% RH
Storage Temperature Range:-25 °C to +40 °C
Storage Humidity Range: 0% RH to 85% RH
Dimensions: NS232:
Weight:255g (185g without batteries)
0 °C to 35 °C
Height = 167 mm, width = 73 mm, depth = 43 mm
NS242, NS252 and NS272
Height = 175 mm, width = 73 mm, depth = 43 mm
The core of the system is a masked ROM microprocessor, U6 which has an LCD Driver and 3 Counters/Timers on
chip.
The On/Off Button, SW1, works by generating a short pulse at the reset input of U6 via C30.
The remainder of the push-buttons are arranged in a row/column scanning matrix. A diode-OR connection between
the rows enables any button to bring the interrupt input of U6 low. The microprocessor is then able to determine
exactly which button is being pressed by examining the status of the Port 0 outputs and the Port 2 inputs.
U6 communicates via an I²C bus serial interface to the two A/D and D/A converters, U1 and U3.
The system timing is based on a 10 ms count generated inside U6. This time base is available at TP14.
2.2 SUPPLY RAILS (FOR ALL TYPES)
There are four main DC Supply Rails: +VBAT, +VCC, +VREF and +VDD. The first three are derived directly
from the battery while the last is under microprocessor control.
+VBATThis supply is the raw battery voltage and is used to supply the two switch mode power supplies for
+VDD and the HV Rail.
+VCCThis supply is isolated and derived from +VBAT via diode D14 and further smoothed to provide a
more stable voltage for the microprocessor and A/D and D/A converter ICs.
+VREFThis supply is maintained at 2.5 V by a three terminal regulator, U4 and is used as the LCD drive
voltage and as the reference voltage for both the A/D and D/A converters.
+VDDThis supply, nominally 15 V, is generated by a switch mode converter IC, U5 configured as a boost
mode DC to DC converter. The relevant components are L1, D7 and C29. The switching frequency
is determined by C26.
U5 acts to control the voltage at its VFB input at a level equal to its internal reference voltage of 1.31
V. Thus the voltage divider R37 and R39 determines the level of +VDD.
The microprocessor is able to turn U5 on by pulling its IC input high via Q20.
+VDD is used to power the CMOS logic and the two current controllers, to drive the two FETs and
supply C4 from which the Internal Mode pulses are generated.
There is an additional supply of 4 V which is used by the current controllers. This supply is produced by amplifying
+VREF and is available at pin 7 of U7.
2.3 LOW BATTERY DETECT (FOR ALL TYPES)
The low battery detect works in two stages. Stage one lights up the battery symbol on the LCD as a warning once
the battery voltage falls to 3.3 V. Stage two shuts the microcontroller down at 2.9 V, leaving only the battery
symbol on the LCD to indicate why the unit is off.
The microcontroller monitors the battery voltage in two different ways. The first is by using A/D channel 3 of U3
and the potential divider R35 and R36. The second way is by monitoring the state of the LBD output of U5. When
the IC input of U5 is high, the LBD output of U5 goes low whenever its LBR input falls below its internal reference
voltage of 1.31 V nominal.
The microcontroller first checks the state of the LBD output of U5. If it is low then the microcontroller will shut
down and will cease to function further until the batteries are changed. The unit must be turned off and on for U6 to
recognise this has occurred.
If the LBD output of U5 is high, the processor will go on to check the voltage at the LBR input of U5 using the A/D
converter. If the voltage at the LBR point is too low the battery symbol will appear on the display.
LS1 is a piezoelectric loudspeaker. It is driven with an audio frequency square wave produced by an astable
multivibrator, Q17 and Q18. That oscillator is turned on and off by the microcontroller via Q19.
2.5 HIGH VOLTAGE RAIL (NS272, NS252 & NS242)
The high voltage rail is an electrolytic capacitor, C11, which is charged up to generate External Mode pulses.
To charge the rail, U6 activates the oscillator U2, by pulling down its reset pin, causing output Q4 to switch at a
frequency determined by R15, R16 and C8. Q9 drives the primary of transformer XFORM1. The voltage at the
secondary is rectified to charge C11.
When high current pulses are delivered the high voltage rail is regulated to approximately 400 V by comparator
U7B. The high voltage rail is monitored by the potential divider R19, R20 and R53 and compared with +VREF.
When the voltage at pin 3 of U7 reaches 2.5 V, Q24 is switched on to remove the base drive from Q8 and the
oscillator is turned off.
The microcontroller also monitors the voltage across C11 using A/D channel 2 of U3 and the potential divider of
R19, R20 and R53. This allows U6 to establish whether the voltage on C11 has reached the lesser of 420 V or (set
current x 5000 Ω) and provide some control of the high voltage rail.
2.6 INTERNAL MODE CONSTANT CURRENT CONTROLLER (NS272 & NS232)
In order to deliver an Internal Mode constant current pulse, C4 must first be charged up from +VDD through R10.
The microcontroller monitors the voltage across C4 via the potential divider R3, R2 and A/D channel 2 of U1.
The microcontroller then sets the level of constant current to be delivered by setting a voltage at the output of the
D/A converter of U1.
At the start of the pulse the microcontroller turns Q7 on and Q1 and Q2 off. Under those conditions, the voltage at
the collector of Q6 will increase depending on the difference b etween the voltages at the emitters of Q6 and Q5.
The Q6 collector voltage determines how much current the Darlington configuration of Q22 and Q4 conducts. The
collector current of Q4 is the current delivered at the output and it develops a proportional voltage across R1. Thus
the Q5, Q6 pair maintains the output current equal to the voltage at the output of the D/A converter divided by the
resistance of R1.
A/D channel 0 of U1 monitors the voltage across R1. By doing this, U6 is able to determine whether the correct
current is being delivered at all times.
Q2 holds Q22 and Q4 in their off-state between pulses and while the unit is switched off, to avoid any output
leakage currents.
2.7 INTERNAL MODE LEADSET MONITOR (NS272 & NS232)
The microcontroller is able to determine whether the Internal Mode leadset is connected to the unit by monitoring
the voltage at A/D channel 3 input of U1.
2.8 EXTERNAL MODE CONSTANT CURRENT CONTROLLER (NS272, NS252 & NS242)
An External Mode pulse is generated in a similar way to the Internal Mode pulse.
In order to deliver an External Mode constant current pulse, C11 must first be charged up. The microcontroller
monitors the voltage across C11 via the potential divider R19, R20, R53 and A/D channel 2 of U3.
The microcontroller then sets the level of constant current to be delivered by setting a voltage at the output of the
D/A converter of U3.