Title: Confinement and electrostimulation system for mechanical testing of muscle fibres using a universal testing machine

Authors: Yesid Montoya, Ana Milena Herrera, Lucas Posada, Catalina Meza, Fernando Moreno

Addresses: Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia EIA, Biomaterials Laboratory, EIA-CES, Sabaneta, Colombia. ' Universidad CES, Calle 10a #22-04, Medellin, Colombia. ' Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia EIA, Universidad CES, Medellin, Colombia. ' Biomaterials Laboratory, EIA-CES, Sabaneta, Colombia. ' Universidad CES, Medellin, Colombia

Abstract: The design and assembly of a system for electrostimulation and muscle mechanics measurement of fibres using a universal testing machine is presented here. Most of the elements used in the design are easy to procure, except for the force measurement machine; however, this machine is of common use in biomaterials laboratories. The designed device is versatile enough to adapt to almost any universal testing machine under low levels of load with high reliability and reproducibility. The proposed design is useful for scientists involved in muscle mechanics research, wishing to develop their own apparatus in a relatively economic and reliable way.

Keywords: muscle mechanics; electrostimulation; confinement system; universal testing machine; muscle fibres; force measurement; biomaterials.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2008.020066

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.353 - 366

Published online: 25 Aug 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article