Executive Overview
Extracorporeal Magnetic Innervation (ExMI) Technology
Extracorporeal Magnetic Innervation (ExMI) is a non-invasive neuromuscular stimulation
technology that utilizes rapidly changing magnetic fields to induce electrical currents within
targeted neural tissue. Unlike surface electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation penetrates
tissue without requiring conductive pads or direct skin contact, allowing for activation of deeper
motor neurons with improved patient comfort.
When applied over the sacral nerve roots and pelvic floor musculature, ExMI induces
depolarization of motor neurons supplying the levator ani and associated pelvic floor muscles.
Repeated supramaximal contractions promote neuromuscular strengthening, improved urethral
closure pressure, and modulation of detrusor overactivity.
The GazelleTM system utilizes ExMI technology consistent with protocols evaluated across more
than two decades of peer-reviewed research.
Clinical Evidence Base
The published evidence base included in this bibliography consists of:
● 46 Pelvic Floor / Incontinence Human Studies
Collectively, these studies demonstrate:
● Inhibition of detrusor overactivity
● Increased urethral closure pressure
● Reduction in stress urinary incontinence episodes
● Neuromuscular activation comparable or superior to electrical stimulation
● Biologic and cellular responses supporting neuromodulatory mechanisms
The following sections provide structured summaries of each study, including study type,
population, intervention details, outcomes measured, and clinical relevance to the ExMI
mechanism utilized in Gazelle.
Mechanism of Action
ExMI technology generates time-varying magnetic fields that induce electrical currents within
excitable neural tissue. These induced currents depolarize motor neurons without the discomfort
associated with surface electrode stimulation.
When delivered in a seated configuration targeting the sacral plexus and pelvic floor, ExMI
produces:
● Involuntary supramaximal pelvic floor contractions
● Enhanced motor unit recruitment
● Neuromodulatory suppression of involuntary bladder contractions
● Improved functional muscle conditioning over repeated sessions
This non-invasive neuromuscular activation mechanism underlies the therapeutic approach
employed in the Gazelle system.
Galloway NTM et al., 1999 Extracorporeal magnetic therapy for stress urinary incontinence.
Yamanishi T et al., 1999 Effect of functional continuous magnetic stimulation on urethral closure.
Sand P et al., 1999 Factors influencing success with ExMI treatment of mixed urinary incontinence.
Galloway NTM et al., 2000 Update on extracorporeal magnetic innervation therapy.
Fujishiro T et al., 2000 Sacral root magnetic stimulation: placebo-controlled trial.
Yamanishi T et al., 2000 Comparative magnetic vs electrical stimulation on detrusor overactivity.
Goldberg RP & Sand PK, 2000 Electromagnetic pelvic floor stimulation: clinical applications.
Olney RK et al., 1990 Comparison of magnetic and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves.
Laghi F et al., 1996 Magnetic vs electrical phrenic nerve stimulation.
Lin VW et al., 1998 Functional magnetic stimulation restoring cough in tetraplegia.
Polkey MI et al., 1999 Functional magnetic stimulation of abdominal muscles.
Lin VW et al., 2001 Functional magnetic stimulation of the colon. [link] View source
Magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation to detect diaphragmatic fatigue.
Watanabe H et al., 1998 Tissue effects of magnetic coil stimulation.
Dawson TW et al., 1998 Magnetic vs electric field induction.
Yamanishi T et al., 1999 Magnetic inhibition of bladder contraction.
Battocletti JH et al., 2000 Pulsed magnetic fields and axon outgrowth.
Hausmann A et al., 2001 c-fos induction via magnetic stimulation.
Liboff AR & Jenrow KA, 2002 Physical mechanisms of neuro-electromagnetic therapies.