Manufactured by Farrall Instruments, Inc. Grand Island, Nebraska 68802 U.S.A. Under License from Biotechnologies, Inc. Distributed by Farrall Instruments, Inc. and Biotechnologies, Inc.
Copyright 1987 John D. Perry
General Description:
The Personal Perineometer™ [Models PP-200 and the earlier PP-100], are battery operated electromyograph instruments designed by Dr. John Perry and William Farrall, and made by Farrall Instruments, Inc. specifically for use with the Electronic Perineometer™ brand of vaginal and rectal myograph sensors.
They were intentionally designed to appear as simple and "user-friendly" as possible, while incorporating the highest quality electronic components. Each instrument is precisely calibrated in RMS ("root mean square") voltages at 130 Hz, with a bandpass similar to common EMG equipment. The PP-200 has three ranges: 0-5, 0-10, and 0-20 microvolts. [The older model PP-100 has only two sensitivity ranges: 0-20 and 0-60 µvolts]. The Volume and Threshold controls are located on the top of the case on the "200" [They are under the front edge of the case on the "100"]. The controls are as follows:
1. 20-SEGEMENT CIRCLE OF LIGHTS. Designed to be both informative and rewarding, the unique circular light display of the Personal Perineometer™ is in fact a precisely calibrated "light bar" micro-voltmeter, curved into a circular shape. The individual LEDs ("Light-Emitting-Diodes") are sequentially numbered from 1 to 20. The lights are color-coded to help you remember their meaning. The Red LEDs (Numbered 1 through 4) will usually be the only ones lit when the muscle is relaxed --- for example, when the RED "relax" light is on. The Green and Yellow LEDs (5 to 20) will usually come on when you are contracting your muscles --- when the GREEN "Contract" light is on. The purpose of the Yellow LEDs at 5, 10,15 and 20 is to help you read the measurement scale at a quick glance!
Note that the Circle of Lights meter is only valid when the vaginal or rectal sensor is in place and making good contact with the skin. When the sensor is held in the hand, for example, you will usually observe full-scale indication--all lights on. This is a normal function of the operation of any EMG instrument. Unless a proper sensor is connected and in proper usage, the lights are meaningless.
MODEL PP-200: When the Range Switch is rotated fully clockwise, ("1") each of the numbered "LEDs" ("Light-Emitting Diodes") indicates one microvolt of energy generated by the muscles being measured; full-scale is 20 µvolts. In the middle range position 2 (0-10µvolts), each LED is worth one-half microvolt. In the most sensitive range (fully counter-clockwise, 4 mark, 0-5 µvolt scale) each LED is worth one-quarter of a microvolt.
MODEL PP-100 ONLY: When the Range Switch is Down, ("x1") each "LED" ("Light-Emitting Diode") indicates one microvolt of energy generated by the muscles being measured. When the Range switch is UP ("x3"), each LED signifies three microvolts.
2. "ON-TIMER/OFF/ON" SWITCH. In the center position, the instrument is off. Be sure to turn it off when not in use, or when charging the battery. In the down or "ON" position, the unit is on; use this setting for practicing "flicks" and long contractions. In the up or "ON TIMER" position, the "Relax-Contract" signal lights in the middle of the panel will flash alternately at 10 second intervals; use this setting when practicing the 10-second "hold" contractions.
3. THRESHOLD SETTING. This knob sets the low point for giving auditory biofeedback. The correct setting is such that the tone will be "off" when you are relaxed, and will start to come on as soon as you make even the slightest contraction. (When using the Personal Perineometer™ to learn to relax, set the tone just barely "on", and it will go "off" as you become more relaxed. Then reset it just barely "on", and repeat the process.) When setting the threshold, observe the numbered Circle of Lights (#1) to see what level you are at.
4. RELAX-CONTRACT SIGNAL LIGHTS. When the main switch (#2) is in the up position, these signal lights flash on and off at 10- second intervals to cue your relax and "hold" exercises. Contract your pelvic muscles when the Green "Contract" light is on, and relax when the Red "Relax" light is lit.
5. VOLUME CONTROL. This dial sets the loudness of the audio biofeedback signal through the speaker or earphones; set it to a comfortable level. If you prefer to use only the visual Circle of Lights for biofeedback, the sound may be turned all the way down or off (counter-clockwise).
6. RANGE SWITCH. This switch determines the value of the LEDs in the display; i.e., the range of the light-bar meter.
Model PP-200: In the clockwise position, the numbered Circle of Lights reads directly, from 1 to 20 µvolts. In the middle position, each LED is worth one-half a µvolt, for a range of 0-10 µvolts. In the most counter-clockwise position, each LED is worth one-quarter µvolts; for example, if the four Red LEDs are lit, the reading would be one microvolt (4x1/4=1).
Model PP-100 ONLY: In the down position, the numbered Circle of Lights reads directly, from 1 to 20 microvolts. In the up ("x3", or "times 3") position, multiply each LED by "3", for a range of 3 to 60 microvolts.
BOTH MODELS: In general, the lower scale is used
for the beginning phases of training in PC muscle contractions,
(and at all times for learning to relax the pelvic muscles.) When
you can readily complete the circle when contracting (i.e., turn
and hold all the lights on for ten seconds), switch to the next
higher scale to keep going up.
7. CONNECTOR SOCKET. The mini-stereo phono jack socket at the center of the rear panel is used to connect the vaginal or rectal sensor cable when the instrument is in use. (Some versions have other kinds of connectors.) NOTE that for safety reasons, you cannot operate the Personal Perineometer when the battery is being charged.
EARPHONE JACK. The small silver jack on the left rear panel is for the 1/8" diameter plug for the earphone. The internal speaker is disconnected when the earphone plug is inserted. Use the earphone when you wish greater privacy.
8. CONNECTING CABLE. This special thin shielded connecting cable has a miniature stereo phono plug (for the instrument) and a 3- pin molded right-angle DIN plug (for the vaginal or rectal sensor). [Alternative versions of the cable have other connectors instead of the molded pink connector.] Keep the plugs clean and dry; coil (rather than fold) the cable when the instrument is being stored. If operation of the Personal Perineometer™ is erratic when the cable is flexed or moved, obtain a replacement cable from Farrall Instruments or your dealer. If allowed to remain too long in sterilizing solution, the cable end will become discolored. This will not affect the operation, but does hurt the appearance of the cable.
9. ELECTRONIC PERINEOMETER™ A vaginal or rectal sensor (pink). This patented sensor is made of pure silver sensor strips mounted in a base of highest quality dental acrylic. Properly cared for, it should give years of service. DO NOT subject the sensor to high temperatures; DO NOT BOIL. It may be washed in hot soapy water, or cleaned like regular dentures. Over time, the silver pads may tarnish just like jewelry; they may be scrubbed with a mild, non-abrasive dish-washing cleanser to restore original luster (and to work correctly). Be sure to rinse very well.
10. UNIVERSAL BATTERY CHARGER: The Personal Perineometer™ is supplied with a universal battery charger to keep its Ni-Cad batteries charged. The charger plugs into the larger (right-hand) hole at the rear of the instrument. Note that you must disconnect the sensor cable first; this is a safety precaution and it is a violation of FDA regulations to attempt to defeat the safety interlock system. The Charger can be adjusted to operate from either 110 or 220 volts; be sure to set it correctly for your area (country). The output has been pre-set at the factory for "9 volts" with "positive" polarity -- do not change! (Improper setting can damage the Personal Perineometer™ and will void your warranty.)
Battery Charging: Before
using the Personal Perineometer™ charge the battery all day
(8-10 hours) or overnight. Insert the charger into a standard
wall outlet, and connect the charger's cable to the large jack
on the rear panel. (As a safety precaution, the charger's connector
has a large clear plastic disk installed. You cannot use the charger
while the sensor cable is connected.) The perineometer should
operate for several hours without recharging; it is suggested
that you charge the batteries approximately twice the amount of
time that the unit is used, but never longer than 16 hours at
a time.
NOTE that the PP-200 must be "OFF" for
the battery charging circuit to work. You cannot charge the batteries
and have the unit "ON" at the same time.
As with all Ni-Cad batteries, it is recommended that
you allow them to become nearly discharged before recharging --
this extends the useful life of the batteries. Pre-mature recharging
progressively shortens the charge-holding capacity. Ideally, you
should record the total running time the instrument can be used
after a full charge, and then attempt to recharge it "just
before" it would have run down. Battery charge cycles will
vary in length depending on the average number of LEDs lit and
the use of audio feedback. Erratic LED operation or none at all
indicate time to recharge.
Note that it is Normal for entire circle of lights
to be "on" when there is no sensor connected to the
cable, or no cable connected to the instrument. Only when the
test fixture is used, or a properly positioned sensor is connected,
can you expect the lights to be other than full-scale "on".
TEST FIXTURE: (Optional Extra) A test fixture, consisting
of two 10,000 ohm resisters inside a 3-Pin DIN plug, is available
to test the integrity of the Personal Perineometer™ and the
sensor cable itself. When it is installed at the end of the cable
in place of the Electronic Perineometer™ sensor, a reading
of less than one microvolt should be obtained on the circular
display. When it is unplugged, the display should jump to "full-scale".
[The same results can be obtained at some cost saving by dexterously
shorting all three pins together with a judiciously placed paper
clip.]
Quick Test of Instrument:
You can make a simple test of the correct operation
of the instrument, cable and sensor as follows: First, connect
them all together as if to use them. Set them all on a convenient
table or desk. Turn the instrument ON. All the lights in the Circle
should go ON. Without touching anything else, touch first one,
then another, then the third silver sensor pad. For two of the
pads, the lights should be all ON, but for one pad (the "reference"),
most of the lights should go OFF. If the lights don't come ON,
it probably needs recharging. If they don't go OFF for one pad
only, you may have a broken cable. Contact your therapist for
advice.
This page is www.incontinet.com/articles/art_urin/HOPP200.htm
Copyright 1996 by John D. Perry
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