CANINE LATISSIMUS-DORSI MUSCLE - AN APPARATUS FOR ISOMETRIC FORCE MEASUREMENTS

This paper describes a device used to measure the isometric forces gen erated during electrical stimulation of the canine latissimus dorsi mu scle in vivo with a preserved neurovascular supply. This device uses 2 strain gauge force sensors linked to a movable alignment frame to whi ch the muscle is attached. The muscle length is controlled by the appl ication of known weights to the system. The device has a frequency of response of 17.5 Hz and compliance of similar to 0.1 mm N-1. and its e xperimental performance was tested in the anesthetized mongrel dog.