Advantages of an MA-300 EMG system

Motion Lab Systems pioneered the worlds first EMG system to combine advanced radio-telemetry techniques with a cabled system, resulting in a technologically advanced EMG system combining many of the best features of each of the earlier systems. Prior to the introduction of the MA-100 in 1987 all commercial EMG systems were either radio-telemetry systems (highly mobile but expensive, unreliable, with a low signal bandwidth and prone to external interference) or cabled systems that restricted the subjects movement with a heavy multi-core signal cable. While cabled systems rarely suffered from the RF interference problems that plagued many radio-telemetry systems they were often no more reliable (due to the use of multi-core cables) and usually only offered a marginally better signal bandwidth.

Motion Lab Systems first EMG system (the MA-100) revolutionized the recording of multi-channel EMG signals in gait analysis. The latest EMG system from Motion Lab Systems (the MA-300) continues in the tradition of the first ground-breaking EMG system introduced in 1987. Its design combines the advantages of both radio-telemetry and cabled systems while offering a technically advanced, all digital signal transmission system to virtually eliminate outside interference and noise from the EMG signal. The MA-300 system uses a single, ultra-light, 3/32 inch coaxial cable to transfer a total of 28 channels of information from the subject to your data collection system. This comprised up to sixteen channels of full bandwidth EMG, eight switch channels and four research channels suitable for goniometers, EOG, EKG and EEG data. The complete shielding offered by the cabled system ensures an absence of any external interference while the advanced, error-correcting, digital transmission techniques guarantee that the information that you record is accurate - even in the noisiest environment.

Our Competitive Advantages

Every Motion Lab Systems EMG system comes with the following advantages:

  • Available in three different configurations to accommodate all requirements and budgets. Systems available with six, ten and sixteen EMG channel capability. Upgrade seamlessly from a six or ten channel system to add additional EMG channels at any time.
  • Completely self-powered, all MA-300 systems are battery-free. The double-isolated subject backpack meets all electrical safety requirements for UL, CSA and CE requirements.
  • Easy to use in any environment - MA-300 systems pass the stringent FCC Class B tests for Radio Frequency Emissions and are protected against damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD protected)..
  • The lowest operating budget of any EMG system - no batteries or disposable electrodes and gel that must be continually purchased from your operating budget.
  • Compact and lightweight yet built to withstand years of laboratory use. Channel for channel, the MA-300 has the smallest and lightest subject backpack on the market.
  • Smallest desktop foot-print of any EMG system on the market. The MA-300 desktop unit requires a mere 2.5 inches of linear desktop space yet provides eleven indicator lights that allow you to easily monitor the system status from across the room.
  • Easy to use - the design philosophy is that you watch the subject, not the equipment. Individually preset gain controls on the subject backpack provide the flexibility to record an optimal signal while infrequently used filtering options are safely tucked out of the way.
  • The highest accuracy of any multi-channel EMG system is guaranteed with our internal 14-bit digitization and error-correction and detection circuitry. Pre/post digitization filtering removes the possibility of sample aliasing artifact under all operating conditions.
  • Differential EMG pre-amplifiers at the skin surface provide the highest CMRR of any completing EMG system by removing common mode components before they reach the internal electronics and produce the cleanest, most reliable, EMG signals of any system.
  • Compete electrostatic immunity - you can stimulate an indwelling electrode during insertion into the muscle without disconnecting the pre-amplifier or EMG system.
  • Affordable - compared to competing EMG systems, the MA-300 systems are inexpensive and do not require an operating budget. Our warranty and service contracts guarantee your system operation and availability into the future.
  • Environmentally Friendly - unlike many competing systems, the MA-300 does not require the use of gel electrodes or environmentally unfriendly batteries that require disposal after use.

Craftsmanship

The design of the MA-300 subject backpack anticipates the issues that can cause problems with any well used system. Even with the best intentions in the world, sooner or later the unit will be dropped or accidentally hit - the advanced construction techniques and recessed electrode connectors used by the MA-300 subject backpack take even extreme physical abuse in their stride and will continue to work day after day in even the roughest environment. Advance technical design, and attention to detail make the Motion Lab System MA-300 stand out from the competition. Motion Lab Systems friendly technical support is always available to answer any question and our "no-fault" warranty and support contracts ensure worry-free use in any situation.

Reliability and Usability

The legendary reliability of Motion Lab Systems designs means that you can rely on the system being available at any time. Since the innovative design of the MA-300 eliminates the need for batteries or gel electrodes (unlike virtually every other EMG system) the system does not require that "disposable" supplies are available before you can run a test. This simultaneous reduces the system operating costs and increases the system "up-time" availability.

Technical Superiority

The MA-300 has the largest signal bandwidth of any competing EMG system and, unlike other systems, includes a variable Low Pass filter that can be used to ensure that the EMG signals are recorded without any sampling artifacts as the MA-300 can always be set to produce the optimum EMG signal for any data collection system.

International Standards

The MA-300 system and accessories met all applicable international safety standards for medical EMG systems, as well as FCC, CSA, and UL standards in North America.  All MA-300 systems are CE marked and carry UL labeling indicating that they are assembled and tested to meet UL and CE specifications for medical devices.  Unlike many items of commercial equipment, the MA-300 is certified to meet the stricter FCC Class B standards for electrical interference.

US FDA 510(k) clearance

All MA-300 systems have received US FDA 510(k) clearance for use as a diagnostic electromyograph for medical purposes in a clinical environment. This means that an MA-300 EMG system can be used to acquire EMG signals from humans for medical diagnosis and clinical gait analysis. Most competing multi-channel EMG systems do not have a clinical use clearance and are, in fact, registered as biofeedback devices. The US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Volume 8, (Revised April 1, 2006) defines the two 510(k) clearances:

[21CFR890.1375] A diagnostic electromyograph is a device intended for medical purposes, such as to monitor and display the bioelectric signals produced by muscles, to stimulate peripheral nerves, and to monitor and display the electrical activity produced by nerves, for the diagnosis and prognosis of neuromuscular disease.

[21CFR882.5050] A biofeedback device is an instrument that provides a visual or auditory signal corresponding to the status of one or more of a patient's physiological parameters (e.g., brain alpha wave activity, muscle activity, skin temperature, etc.) so that the patient can control voluntarily these physiological parameters.

Supplied as a Complete System

Each MA-300 system is supplied with everything necessary to connect to a data collection system and start recording EMG from an active subject. Each Motion Lab Systems MA-300 system includes the following items: