Thought Technology MyoTrac T4000P, MyoTracT4001P User manual

The Manufacturer: Thought Technology Ltd.

System Name: MyoTrac™ EMG Biofeedback System
System #: T4000P/T4001P
Device Name: MyoTrac™ Biofeedback Unit
Device #: SA4000P/SA4001P

2180 Belgrave Avenue
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H4A 2L8

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CAUTION

WARNING

• Type BF Equipment

• Internally powered equipment

• Continuous operation

• Read Instruction

• US Federal Law restricts this device to sale by or on

order of licensed health care practitioners.

• Do not operate MyoScan sensor within 10 feet of an

operating cellular phone, similar radio transmitting
device, other powerful radio interference producing
sources such as arc welders, radio thermal treatment
equipment, x-ray machines or any other equipment that
produces electrical sparks etc.

• Do not connect inputs or outputs of the encoder or
sensors to line powered devices.

• All MyoTrac units are totally isolated from line (110 or
220VAC) power due to battery operation. However,
many hospitals and the FDA require that computers,
printers and any other equipment used with medical
devices be electrically isolated from line voltage to UL
or CSA medical safety standards.

• After use, the Disposable Electrodes may be a
potential biohazard. Handle, and when applicable,
dispose of these materials in accordance with accepted
medical practice and any applicable local, state and
federal laws and regulations.

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ATTENTION

• Radiated radio frequency electromagnetic fields can

• Do not use in the presence of a flammable anesthetic

• Not to be immersed in water.

• To prevent static discharge from damaging the sensor

• To prevent voiding warranty by breaking connector

• Do not apply any electrode gel or equivalent directly on

• Make sure to remove electrodes from sensor snaps

• Apply conductive gel only to electrodes; never put gel

• Do not plug third party sensors directly into instrument

cause performance degradation in the MyoScan
sensor. In the worst case, a RF field strength of
22mV/M can cause a degradation of 1µV in the signal
from the MyoScan sensor. Be sure to keep in mind
that a very relaxed muscle should provide an EMG
reading of approximately 1-3µV.

mixture with air or with Oxygen or Nitrous Oxide.

and/or encoders, use anti-static mats or sprays in your
working area. A humidifier may also be used to
prevent static environments by conditioning hot, dry air.

pins, carefully align white guiding dot on sensor plug
with slot on sensor input.

the sensor snaps. Always use electrodes as a medium
between the sensor and the client.

immediately after use.

directly to sensor snaps.

inputs. Plug only Thought Technology Active Sensor
cable connectors into instrument inputs. All EMG
electrodes and third party sensors must be connected
to MyoScan sensors, either directly or through an
adapter.

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• Remove batteries when the device is not being used
for extended period of time. Please dispose of battery
following national regulations.

• Sensors damaged by static electricity are not covered
under warranty! In dry climates, apply anti-static spray
on carpets each week and/or use a conductive floor
mat (available from computer stores).

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• None

INTENDED PURPOSE

• Biofeedback, Relaxation & Muscle Re-Education
purposes.

NOTE

• No preventative inspections required. Maintenance

must be performed by qualified personnel.

• The supplier will make available, upon request, circuit
diagrams, component parts lists and description or
other information required for the repair of product by
qualified personnel.

Manual # SA9601 Rev.5

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Model #: MyoTrac (4000P 60Hz)
Model #: MyoTrac (4001P 50Hz)

Table of Contents

Introduction.................................................................... 6

Installing and Testing Your Battery................................ 7

Trying Your MyoTrac for the First Time.........................9

Use of the MyoScan™ Sensor...................................... 9

Front Panel Controls ................................................... 14

Battery Compartment Controls.................................... 15

Side Panel Jacks.........................................................18

Setting the Threshold Potentiometer........................... 18

Connecting to a Voltage Monitoring Device................ 20

Care of Your Instrument .............................................. 21

Specifications.............................................................. 22

Accessories................................................................. 23

Warranty...................................................................... 24

Extended Warranty Program....................................... 25

Repair Return Form..................................................... 27

Other Products and Services from Thought T.............28

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Introduction

Biofeedback is a rapidly developing scientific field that has
grown out of advances in physiology, psychology and
electronics. Ordinarily, we are unaware of the subtle internal
body activities that are part of our everyday lives.
Biofeedback uses sensitive electronics to detect and amplify
theses activities in order to bring them to awareness. By
allowing us to observe these activities, biofeedback also
allows us to learn to modify them. Since we are immediately
aware of the outcome of our attempts, we can gradually learn
to produce the results we desire.

Muscles go through a wide range of activity. Normally, we
are only aware of the muscle activity associated with
movement, such as occurs in swinging a tennis racket. Yet
much muscle activity produces no visible movement and, as
a result, goes unnoticed. EMG (electromyographic) activity
is a measure of the electrical activity in the muscles. Since
the electrical activity of the muscle increases when the
muscle is tensed and decreases when it is relaxed, EMG
biofeedback can provide information about the state of
relaxation or tension of our muscles.

Our muscles respond to threatening, stressful situations with
large increases in tension. This response is part of an old
reflex left over from a time when one had to either fight or
flee from a stressful situation in order to survive. Today,
fighting or running isn't generally appropriate. So, in most
stressful situations, there is increased muscle tension, which
cannot be dissipated by fighting or fleeing. If this high
tension continues, muscle fatigue, soreness, or even pain
may result.

Work with EMG and relaxation and tension began during
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the 1920's and 1930's through the pioneering efforts of
Edmund Jacobson. Jacobson found that the more relaxed a
muscle was, the lower its EMG activity level was. He also
noted that this lowered EMG activity level was associated
with a more general subjective sense of relaxation.

EMG biofeedback is also being applied very successfully in
rehabilitation medicine - such as in regaining control of lost
muscle function, re-establishing the correct relationship
between agonist and antagonist muscles, relaxing spasmodic
activity and in strengthening weak or atrophied muscles.

While Jacobson's work marked a milestone in EMG
research, his methods of measuring EMG were crude and
cumbersome by today's standards. The MyoTrac represents a
tremendous step forward in EMG technology. Thanks to
solid state electronics and micro circuitry, equipment which
used to fill a laboratory in Jacobson's time can be replaced
today by the MyoTrac - small enough to fit in the palm of
your hand.

Installing and Testing Your Battery

Battery Insertion: We strongly recommend the use of an
alkaline or lithium 9 volt battery. You can use a rechargeable
nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery, but keep in mind that
although NiCad batteries can be charged many times, they
last only about one quarter as long in operation as an alkaline
battery.

To insert or remove the battery, hold the device in one hand
and firmly grasp the sides of the battery compartment lid
with the other. Pull straight towards the rear of the case to
slide it off (see Figure 1). Replace the battery, being careful
to observe the proper polarity. Slide the lid back in place,

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pushing gently to snap the clip.

Fig. 1 Opening the battery compartment

Note: Remove old batteries promptly to prevent corrosion.
Remove the battery if the device is not going to be used for
periods longer than one month.

Testing the Battery: To check the battery, turn the unit on,
place the threshold potentiometer to 5, and the scale-reading
switch to x1. With a Triode electrode snapped on the
MyoScan sensor, place the sensor over a muscle and tense it.

If the first yellow LED in the middle of the bargraph does
not light as the LEDs go from left to right, then change or
recharge the battery.

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