FAQ

The muscles in the pelvic floor are located on different sides of the pelvic floor and at various depths. Recent research has also shown that the pelvic floor is controlled by two different nerves for the different levels. For the superficial muscles, this is the Pudendal Nerve, and for the deeper muscles (Levator Ani), it is the Perineal Nerve. If measurements do not differentiate between the activities of the various muscles, there is a high likelihood that the actual cause of the patient’s problem will be missed. The MAPLe is now the first and only system that can make this distinction.

Interpreting a single EMG signal on a line graph is, of course, manageable. However, when there are 24 signals, this becomes impossible. A lot of time was devoted to this interpretation during the development of the MAPLe. The key objective is that both the professional and the patient should be able to instantly see where the problem is located in the pelvic floor. Therefore, in the MAPLe software application, you will find a graphical representation in the form of a circle. This circle allows you to see the distribution of muscle activity in the pelvic floor at a glance.

The MAPLe ®, in addition to its ability to measure at 24 points in the pelvic floor, also offers the option for electrostimulation. The 24 electrodes allow the therapist to provide electrostimulation in multiple configurations at different depths and sides. This makes it possible to reach all areas of the pelvic floor with a single probe.

With the MAPLe, we have developed not only the ability to measure at multiple points but also another technology. This technology makes it possible to display only the activity of the pelvic floor. The co-contractions of the surrounding muscles, which are always present, will not be shown in the measurement with the MAPLe. This is very important because it makes the MAPLe the only system that measures the actual activity of the pelvic floor muscles. This allows the therapist to better guide the patient during treatment. The therapist can now see whether the patient is actually contracting and relaxing the correct muscles in the proper way.

In most cases, the probe will stay in place just fine. However, in some situations, the probe may need to be held to prevent it from moving. Holding the probe should actually be considered a standard practice. By holding the probe, the pelvic physiotherapist can better feel what is happening with the pelvic floor during the measurement.

The MAPLe was developed with a clinical background in mind. If the probe becomes wider/thicker, it can create pre-tension in the muscles in certain situations, leading to different measurements and, therefore, a different diagnosis. This is not desirable, as the clinical outcome should ultimately be the guiding factor.

Absolute measurement: Measurements are displayed in microvolts (µV) on a grayscale.

Compare with reference: Measurements are compared to a reference group and displayed as overactivity (red), underactivity (blue), or equal to the reference group (white). More intense colors indicate a greater deviation from the reference group. You can activate this mode at any time, even when reviewing the history of the treatments.

Of course, we consider good support to be essential. We have made several MAPLe instructional videos available online and offer an expert helpdesk for all your questions. Online training sessions and workshops are provided, and MAPLe User Days and advanced courses can be attended at Profundum. For more information, you can contact Novuqare.

During the development phase and clinical research, it was demonstrated that the length over which the electrodes are distributed along the probe closely matches the muscles to be measured in every anatomical variation. A minimum distance between the electrodes is necessary to prevent interference between them. Together, these factors have led to the conclusion that a grid of 24 electrodes is the most optimal configuration for accurately measuring the pelvic floor in different individuals.