Abstract: An intramuscular stimulation (IMS) device and method permit electrical and mechanical modes of stimulation to be carried out individually or together. The gun-like stimulation device permits a disposable needle applicator unit including a needle and elongate sheath to be removably attached thereto. Different needle penetration depths are obtainable with a single needle by virtue of a drive carriage with a position selecting element. To help avoid repetitive strain injury to a treating physician, a processor may monitor a body contact sensor and continue an intramuscular stimulation cycle only so long as contact is detected. In order to ensure that only a single IMS operation is performed during a period of body contact, performance of a further intramuscular stimulation cycle may be prevented unless it is determined that body contact was broken at a time following a previous IMS cycle.

Abstract: A modality of twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation (IMS) pain relief therapy employs an EMG needle having a Teflon coated shaft and exposed conductive tip to apply micro-electrical stimulation locally and focally to muscle motor end plate zones or regions of adjacent motor end plate zones. The electrical stimulation facilitates the elicitation of strong twitch responses from muscle fibers associated with the stimulated motor end plates, generally without requiring physical needle manipulation following the initial pin insertion. Less skill is required to effectively elicit pain relieving twitch responses, thus facilitating training of medical personnel to carry the procedure. Rapid movement between multiple treatment sites is possible allowing treatment of a larger number of afflicted muscles and muscle areas in a single treatment session. The strength and number of twitches obtained at the treatment sites can provide substantial relief from regional and diffuse myofacsial pain of radiculopathic origin.

Abstract: A pulsed N.M.R. spectrometer employing a highly stable magnet (e.g. a superconducting magnet) has a field-frequency lock which is operative to correct the intensity of the magnetic field only at discrete intervals. The lock operates on the principles of a phase locked loop, and utilizes the free induction decay of the magnetic resonance of an appropriate nuclear species incorporated in a reference sample which is subjected to the magnetic field.

Abstract: A modality of twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation (IMS) pain relief therapy employs an EMG needle having a Teflon coated shaft and exposed conductive tip to apply micro-electrical stimulation locally and focally to muscle motor end plate zones or regions of adjacent motor end plate zones. The electrical stimulation facilitates the elicitation of strong twitch responses from muscle fibers associated with the stimulated motor end plates, generally without requiring physical needle manipulation following the initial pin insertion. Less skill is required to effectively elicit pain relieving twitch responses, thus facilitating training of medical personnel to carry the procedure. Rapid movement between multiple treatment sites is possible allowing treatment of a larger number of afflicted muscles and muscle areas in a single treatment session. The strength and number of twitches obtained at the treatment sites can provide substantial relief from regional and diffuse myofacsial pain of radiculopathic origin.