EMG (Electro Myograph)

EMG (ELECTRO MYOGRAPH)

It is an instrument used for recording the electrical activity of the muscles to determine whether the muscle is contracting or not. Study of neuromuscular function is also possible by using EMG. Muscular contractions are caused by the depolarization of muscle fibers. Similarly the recording of peripheral nerves action potentials is called as electro neurography.

ELECTRODES USED FOR EMG

Two types of electrodes:

Surface electrodes- Usually this electrode is used for EMG. But by using this electrode, it is not possible to take the deeper potential.

Needle electrodes – These are inserted into tissue or closer to tissue to measure the electrical activity of muscle.

EMG RECORDING SYSTEM

EMG potentials are taken from the tissue by using electrodes. These EMG potentials are given to differential amplifier. This is the high gain amplifier. Its frequency range is given as 10 Hz to 10 KHz.

Bandwidth of EMG is large. CMRR (Common mode Rejection Ratio) of this differential amplifier is 80 to 100 db.Input Impedance of this amplifier is 10 MΩ. Here there is no lead

selector switch. Because only two electrodes are available. The output of the differential amplifier is given to loudspeaker system, tape recorder and CRO.

Before giving the output of differential amplifier to loudspeaker, it is given to power amplifier. Power amplifier amplifies the signal that is received by loudspeaker.

The amplified signal from the output of the differential amplifier is displayed by using CRO. Here storage oscilloscope is used. Output cab be displayed and the same can be stored in the CRO. The signal from the differential amplifier is recorded by using tape recorder. It is used for the future purpose.

MEASUREMENT OF CONDUCTION VELOCITY IN MOTOR NERVES

In modern EMG systems, nerve conduction time and nerve velocity are measured. For this measurement, initially nerve is stimulated and EMG is measured.This conduction velocity measurement is used to indicate the location and type of nerve lesion.

Steps involved in measurement of conduction velocity

·        Stimulte is applied at point A

·        Electrical activity of muscle is measured at point B

·        The space between A and B is noted as l₁ meters.

·        The time delay between applying stimulus and receiving action potential is known as latency. This time delay is detoned as t₁ second.

·        Now change the position of A into C. Now the space is reduced. It is noted as l₂ meters.

·        The time delay noted is t₂ second.

·        Usually, l₂<l₁ and t_{2 <}t_1.

·        Now , the conduction velocity is given as , V= l_1-l₂/t_1-t_2.

·        Usually V= 50 m/sec.

·        If  V<40 m/s. It means there is some disorder in nerve conduction.

·        Thus conduction velocity is measured in motor nerves.

·        Skeletal muscle is organized functionally on the basis of the motor unit.

Single Motor Unit (SMU)

·        The motor unit is the smallest unit that can be activated by a volitional effort (all constituent muscle fibers are activated synchronously)

·        Single motor unit (SMU) consists of a single motor neuron and the group of skeletal muscles that it innervates

·        SMU is a distributed unit bioelectric source in a volume conductor consisting of all other muscle fibers, both active and inactive.

·        The evoked extracellular field potential from the active fibers of an SMU has a triphasic form of 3-15 ms duration and 20-2000 μV amplitude depending on the size of SMU

·        The figure below shows motor unit potentials from normal muscle under graded levels of contraction. At high levels of activity, many sophisticated motor unit responses give rise to a complicated response (interference pattern)

·        A variety of electrodes have been developed for EMG recording

·        The figure below shows the needle and wire electrodes used in recording the EMG signal

·        The EMG is also of considerable clinical value

·        The shape of SMU potentials is modified by disease

The figure below shows the EMG response for a normal subject and one with neuropathy

Applications of EMG:

EMG is used in the field of:

·        Electrophysiological testing.

·        Clinical neurophysiology.

·        Neurology.

·        Psychiatry.