Muscular Bio-Stimulator (2nd Version)

Muscular Bio-Stimulator

Improved version of the popular circuit
Increased output voltage - More complex output wave forms

Circuit diagram:

Parts:

P1_____________100K  Linear Potentiometer
P2,P3___________10K  Linear Potentiometers
R1_____________560K  1/4W Resistor
R2______________68K  1/4W Resistor
R3,R4___________10K  1/4W Resistors
R5______________22K  1/4W Resistor
R6,R7____________4K7 1/4W Resistors
R8_____________330R  1/4W Resistor
R9_______________2K2 1/4W Resistor
R10____________470R  1/4W Resistor
R11_____________47R  1/4W Resistor
C1_______________1µF  63V Polyester Capacitor
C2,C3__________100nF  63V Polyester or Ceramic Capacitors
C4_____________220nF  63V Polyester Capacitor
C5_____________220µF  25V Electrolytic Capacitor
D1______________LED  (Any dimension, shape and color)
D2,D3________1N4148   75V 150mA Diodes
Q1____________BC547   45V 100mA NPN Transistor
Q2,Q3_________BC327   45V 800mA PNP Transistors
IC1,IC2________7555 or TS555CN CMos Timer ICs
T1_____________230V Primary, 12V Secondary 1.2VA Mains transformer (see Notes)
SW1,SW2________SPST  Toggle or Slide Switches
B1_______________3V to 9V Batteries (See Notes)

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Comments:

This circuit is a big improvement of the small Muscular Bio-Stimulator design, available on these pages since 2000.
Circuit improvements are due to Bo Braendstrup, from Technical University of Denmark, and feature a very effective and much safer way to adjust output amplitude. Fine adjustments of "Pulse rate" and "Pulse width" were also added, plus a switch allowing to obtain more complex wave forms of the output ac voltage signal (SW1 when closed).

Warning:

The use of this device is forbidden to Pace-Maker bearers and pregnant women.
Do not place the electrodes on cuts, wounds, injuries or varices.
Obviously we can't claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device.

Notes:

• T1 is a small mains transformer 230 to 12V @ 100 or 150mA. It must be reverse connected, i.e. the 12V secondary winding across Q3 Collector and negative ground, and the 230V primary winding to P3 and output Electrodes.
• The circuit has been thoroughly tested, and it works nicely when supplied in the 3V - 9V range. Running on 3V supply with a 12V 1.2VA transformer it would be no more dangerous than the circuit already published. But please note that using 9V battery supply it can output 120V signals and could be very dangerous.
• Electrodes can be obtained by small metal plates connected to the output of the circuit via usual electric wire and can be taped to the skin. In some cases, moistening them with little water has proven useful.
• Commercial sets have frequently a built-in 30 minutes timer. For this purpose you can use the Timed Beeper the Bedside Lamp Timer or the Jogging Timer circuits available on this Website, adjusting the timing components to suit your needs.

Disclaimer: we can't claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device.

Muscular Bio-Stimulator (1st Version)

Muscular Bio-Stimulator

Circuit diagram:

Parts:

P1______________4K7  Linear Potentiometer
R1____________180K   1/4W Resistor
R2______________1K8  1/4W Resistor (see Notes)
R3______________2K2  1/4W Resistor
R4____________100R   1/4W Resistor
C1____________100nF  63V Polyester Capacitor
C2____________100µF  25V Electrolytic Capacitor
D1______________LED  Red 5mm.
D2___________1N4007  1000V 1A Diode
Q1,Q2_________BC327  45V 800mA PNP Transistors
IC1____________7555 or TS555CN CMos Timer IC
T1_____________220V Primary, 12V Secondary 1.2VA Mains transformer (see Notes)
SW1____________SPST Switch (Ganged with P1)
B1_____________3V Battery (two 1.5V AA or AAA cells in series etc.)

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Device purpose:

This is a small, portable set, designed for those aiming at look improvement. The Bio-Stimulator provides muscles' stimulation and invigoration but, mainly, it could be an aid in removing cellulite.
Tape the electrodes to the skin at both ends of the chosen muscle and rotate P1 knob slowly until a light itch sensation is perceived. Each session should last about 30 - 40 minutes.

Warning:

The use of this device is forbidden to Pace-Maker bearers and pregnant women.
Do not place the electrodes on cuts, wounds, injuries or varices.
Obviously we can't claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device.

Circuit operation:

IC1 generates 150µSec. pulses at about 80Hz frequency. Q1 acts as a buffer and Q2 inverts the polarity of the pulses and drives the Transformer. The amplitude of the output pulses is set by P1 and approximately displayed by the brightness of LED D1. D2 protects Q2 against high voltage peaks generated by T1 inductance during switching.

Notes:

• T1 is a small mains transformer 220 to 12V @ 100 or 150mA. It must be reverse connected i.e. the 12V secondary winding across Q2 Collector and negative ground, and the 220V primary winding to output electrodes.
• Output voltage is about 60V positive and 150V negative but output current is so small that there is no electric-shock danger.
• In any case P1 should be operated by the "patient", starting with the knob fully counter-clockwise, then rotating it slowly clockwise until the LED starts to illuminate. Stop rotating the knob when a light itch sensation is perceived.
• Best knob position is usually near the center of its range.
• In some cases a greater pulse duration can be more effective in cellulite treatment. Try changing R2 to 5K6 or 10K maximum: stronger pulses will be easily perceived and the LED will shine more brightly.
• Electrodes can be obtained by small metal plates connected to the output of the circuit via usual electric wire and can be taped to the skin. In some cases, moistening them with little water has proven useful.
• SW1 should be ganged to P1 to avoid abrupt voltage peaks on the "patient's" body at switch-on, but a stand alone SPST switch will work quite well, provided you remember to set P1 knob fully counter-clockwise at switch-on.
• Current drawing of this circuit is about 1mA @ 3V DC.
• Some commercial sets have four, six or eight output electrodes. To obtain this you can retain the part of the circuit comprising IC1, R1, R2, C1, C2, SW1 and B1. Other parts in the diagram (i.e. P1, R3, R4, D1, D2, Q2 & T1) can be doubled, trebled or quadrupled. Added potentiometers and R3 series resistors must be wired in parallel and all connected across Emitter of Q1 and positive supply.
• Commercial sets have frequently a built-in 30 minutes timer. For this purpose you can use the Timed Beeper the Bedside Lamp Timer or the Jogging Timer circuits available on this Website, adjusting the timing components to suit your needs.

Disclaimer: we can't claim or prove any therapeutic effectiveness for this device.