Importance

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Abstract

A system for inducing a desired functional contraction in muscle tissue while conditioning the contractile properties of that tissue for the desired functional contraction. Pacing stimulation signals are generated having parameters established by a desired functional contraction of particular muscle tissue, the signals being applied to the body to initiate the contraction. A conditioning stimulation signal is also generated having parameters established by the desired functional contraction and applied to the body to condition the contractile properties of the particular muscle tissue. The conditioning stimulation signal may transform the contractile properties of the tissue or maintain those properties, which may also include the responsiveness of the tissue to pacing stimulation signals. In a preferred embodiment, the conditioning stimulation signal is a signal having a frequency from about 1.5 hertz to about 20 hertz and most preferably about 10 hertz. In another preferred embodiment, the conditioning stimulation signal has a frequency from about 80 hertz to 2,000 hertz and most preferably about 100 hertz. In all preferred embodiments, the signal may be continuous or discontinuous.

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First Claim