Ambulatory Muscle Fatigue Monitor

Fatigue is a phenomena that accompanies repeated muscular exertion. The ability of the muscle to produce force is reduced as fatigue occurs. Local muscle fatigue is manifested in electromyography (EMG) signals by a shift in the EMG power spectrum from high to low frequencies. By utilizing this phenomena it is possible to monitor local muscle fatigue in soldiers as they perform mission related tasks. Cleveland Medical Devices will design a complete ambulatory muscle fatigue monitor that will utilize wireless telemetry and advanced signal processing techniques to allow researchers to record and monitor muscle fatigue in soldiers without the need to be tethered to a cumbersome EMG monitor. For the Phase I program, Cleveland Medical Devices will design a small, lightweight, unobtrusive three channel differential EMG amplifier/transmitter using proven wireless technology to digitize and transmit the EMG data to a PC compatible computer for storage and data processing. Then the mean power frequency of the EMG signal will be calculated and used to indicate local muscle fatigue. BENEFITS: There are many potential commercial applications for small, rugged three channel telemetry devices. Some potential biological applications are: rehabilitation, physical therapy, medical research, ergonomic design of equipment and tasks, and remote patient care. Some other commercial applications are: vehicle monitoring, robotic communications, short range voice communications, wireless data acquisition, simple local area networks and industrial process monitoring and control.