Micro Plus Manual: How to Use It, Settings & Troubleshooting
To use Micro Plus, begin with both intensity controls off, install the specified 9V battery, confirm your prescribed settings, and connect the approved leads and electrodes before slowly turning on the prescribed channel. Microcurrent may produce little or no sensation; do not increase output simply to make it tingle.
This guide explains the BioMedical Life Systems Micro Plus® controls using the supplied Rev. K operator’s manual, dated March 18, 2022. It is intended to help you follow your clinician’s instructions, not choose a treatment program yourself. Read the complete manual supplied with your device before use.
For current ordering information and additional photographs, visit our Micro Plus microcurrent stimulator product page.
Jump to: Safety · Controls · Battery · Setup · Settings · No sensation and troubleshooting · Electrodes and leads · Device comparison · Care and support
Micro Plus with its front cover open. Select the image to see our product gallery. The pictured control positions are not recommended treatment settings.
Before you use Micro Plus
Micro Plus is a prescription device. Use it under medical supervision with a treatment plan that identifies the electrode locations, output range, intensity, polarity, pulse settings, and session length.
The Rev. K manual includes the following restrictions and warnings:
- Do not use with a demand-type cardiac pacemaker, over the carotid sinus in the neck, or with a current path through the head. Do not place electrodes across the throat muscles.
- Do not use for pain that has not been diagnosed. The manual does not recommend use in patients with known heart disease or cancer and calls for precautions in suspected or diagnosed epilepsy.
- Safety during pregnancy, labor, and delivery has not been established. Electronic monitoring equipment, including ECG monitors and alarms, may be affected.
- Do not apply over swollen, infected, or inflamed areas or skin eruptions. Stop treatment and consult your clinician if skin irritation occurs; improper use or unapproved electrodes can cause irritation or burns.
- Turn the stimulator off before applying or removing electrodes. Do not operate vehicles or dangerous machinery during treatment. Keep the device away from children and do not use it around flammable anesthetic mixtures.
These points summarize key instructions; they do not replace the complete safety section. The manual describes stimulation as symptomatic treatment and warns that reduced pain can suppress a protective signal. Pain relief does not confirm that an injury has healed.
What do the Micro Plus controls do?
Match the control names below to your device and the numbered Figure A in the operator’s manual.
| Manual reference | Control or component | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Amplitude/intensity controls | Each turns its channel on and adjusts intensity. Turn fully counterclockwise to “O” to switch off. |
| 3 and 4 | Channel 1 and Channel 2 lead-wire inlets | Connect the manufacturer-approved leads to the prescribed channel. |
| 5 and 6 | Yellow channel lights | The manual states that the corresponding light comes on when the channel is turned on. |
| 7 | Pulse-rate dial | Sets the adjustable pulse rate in hertz. |
| 8 | Output-current switch | Selects the microamp (μA) or milliamp (mA) range. |
| 9 | Polarity switch | Selects positive, negative, or bipolar operation. |
| 10 | Pulse-duration knob | Adjusts the pulse-train timing described in the manual. |
| 11 | Battery compartment | Holds the specified 9V battery. |
| 12 | Battery/control cover | Slides to the right to expose the battery and covered controls. |
An illuminated channel light is not a measurement of current delivered through the electrodes. It should not be used alone to conclude that the full treatment circuit is functioning correctly.
The top view shows the two intensity controls and the device-side sockets. Use the specified BMLS leads; a familiar-looking electrode connection does not establish device-side compatibility.
How to open Micro Plus and replace the battery
- Turn both amplitude controls fully counterclockwise to the off position.
- Press the battery/control cover lightly and slide it sideways to the right.
- Follow the polarity diagram inside the compartment. The Rev. K instructions position the battery’s raised terminals against the right-hand end, then direct you to push the battery down over the metal plate to secure it.
- Do not place the battery under the metal plate. Do not force the battery or alter the retaining components.
- To remove the battery, push it to the left and lift its right side.
The manual specifies a 9V E-block battery, type 6F22. It also lists a BMLS-approved rechargeable 9V NiMH battery and a compatible BMLS-approved charger as optional accessories. Do not assume that any rechargeable 9V battery or charger is approved, or attempt to charge a disposable battery.
How to set up a Micro Plus treatment
Use this sequence after your clinician has selected the treatment settings and shown you the electrode placement.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Start with output off | Confirm that both amplitude controls are fully counterclockwise at “O.” |
| 2. Check the power source. | Install the specified battery correctly. |
| 3. Confirm the prescribed settings. | Check pulse rate, μA/mA range, polarity, and duration. If your healthcare professional has already set them, do not readjust them. |
| 4. Prepare and connect the electrodes. | Clean the skin as instructed. Connect approved lead wires to the electrodes and apply the pads in the locations demonstrated by your clinician. |
| 5. Connect the device. | Insert the approved lead wires into the appropriate device outlets. Keep output off while making connections. |
| 6. Start the prescribed channel. | Turn its amplitude control slowly clockwise to the prescribed level. Do not use the presence or absence of tingling as your only guide. |
| 7. Finish safely. | Turn the device off, unplug the lead wires, disconnect the electrodes from the wires, and store the electrodes according to their package instructions. |
How long should a session last? The supplied Rev. K manual does not give one universal treatment duration or daily schedule. Obtain both from your clinician. The 1–3 second duration setting described below is not a 1–3 second treatment timer.
Micro Plus settings: μA, mA, polarity, and pulse timing
What is the difference between μA and mA?
These labels indicate different units of current: 1 mA equals 1,000 μA. The output switch selects a range; the amplitude knob then adjusts output within that range.
Changing from μA to mA is a treatment-setting change, not a troubleshooting shortcut. Do not change the range to make stimulation easier to feel. Also, do not assume an analog knob number is a calibrated current reading unless the manufacturer or your clinician has provided that interpretation.
Use the μA or mA selection specified in your treatment plan.
Positive, negative, and bipolar polarity
Positive and negative selections change the output polarity. Bipolar operation alternates positive and negative stimulation. Match the waveform symbol on your device to the manual; do not select polarity based on which position appears stronger.
The original waveform symbols help distinguish the three switch positions.
Pulse rate is different from pulse-train duration.
The pulse-rate dial changes frequency. The duration knob adjusts the timing described by the manual in seconds; it is not a conventional TENS pulse-width setting in microseconds and does not determine the total treatment time.
Rev. K describes the duration control as setting the length of each pulse and each pause. It states that bipolar operation has no pause between positive and negative pulses. Follow the illustrated control instructions rather than transferring a setting from another stimulator.
P.Duration describes output timing, not session length.
Why do Micro Plus specifications differ between documents?
The operator’s manual supplied for this guide and the manufacturer’s Rev. G specification sheet contain different values for three items:
| Parameter | Operator’s manual Rev. K, March 18, 2022 | Specification sheet Rev. G, January 8, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable pulse rate | 0.5–120 Hz | 0.05–120 Hz |
| Milliamp range | 0–5 mA | 1–5 mA |
| Stated measurement load | 500 Ω | 15,000 Ω |
These document differences do not establish that two different hardware versions exist. Follow the instructions supplied with your exact device, and ask us or the manufacturer to clarify any conflicting value before relying on it for a prescribed protocol. The 14,000 Hz carrier listed in the manual is a separate specification from the adjustable pulse-rate dial.
Micro Plus is not working—or simply not producing a sensation?
Little or no sensation can be expected during microcurrent use. It does not by itself prove either a fault or correct output. Separate three questions: Is the device powered? Are its connections and settings correct? Is the prescribed treatment helping?
The checks below are an operating-support checklist based on the manual, not an electrical output test. Turn the unit off before handling batteries, leads, or electrodes.
| What you notice | What to check | Appropriate next step |
|---|---|---|
| No yellow light when the prescribed channel is turned on | Battery installation and condition; whether the channel control has moved from off | With the unit off, confirm installation or replace with the approved battery type. If it remains unresponsive, request support. |
| Yellow light is on, but no tingling is felt. | Prescribed μA/mA selection, settings, secure connections, and electrode contact | Do not increase output just to feel something. If you remain unsure, arrange a setup or service check. |
| One channel appears inactive | Whether that channel is intended to be used, its control position, and its lead connection | Check the prescribed setup with the power off. Persistent channel concerns need assessment; sensation alone cannot compare channel output. |
| A lead is loose, frayed, or visibly damaged. | Device-side connector and electrode-side connection | Stop using the damaged component and confirm an approved replacement. Do not splice or adapt it. |
| Electrodes will not remain attached. | Electrode condition and the electrode package instructions | Replace unsuitable electrodes with manufacturer-approved ones; do not compensate by increasing amplitude. |
| Burning, irritation, or an unexpected painful sensation occurs. | Skin condition, placement, and the treatment setup | Turn off and stop treatment. Consult your clinician; obtain medical advice for a burn or persistent reaction. |
| Setup appears correct, but symptoms are not improving. | Treatment goal and response to the prescribed program | Review the plan with your clinician. Lack of benefit is not, by itself, evidence of device failure. |
Do not test output by touching bare connectors, placing electrodes on prohibited areas, or repeatedly raising the intensity. Our general pads, lead wires, and device troubleshooting guide cover conventional TENS/NMES equipment; its sensation-based expectations should not be transferred to Micro Plus microcurrent operation.
Electrode placement and replacement lead wires
The Rev. K placement instructions say to clean the skin, surround the painful area, and keep pads at least 2 inches apart without touching. They advise against placing pads directly over a moving joint. These instructions must be applied within the manual’s safety restrictions and the placement your clinician demonstrates.
For a small treatment area, the manual describes parallel placement on either side of the pain. Where pain overlaps a joint, it describes placement on soft tissue above and below it. Ask your clinician to show the specific arrangement for you; these examples are not permission to select a new treatment site.
Use electrodes and lead wires authorized by the device manufacturer. A connector that fits an electrode does not necessarily fit the device socket, and physical fit alone does not establish approval. Send us the model name and clear photographs of both connector ends before ordering an uncertain replacement. Use our product-support contact page for help identifying the appropriate accessory.
Can another stimulator replace Micro Plus?
A replacement must deliver the prescribed modality and settings. These examples from our catalog help identify questions to ask before changing devices.
| Device | Relevant capability | What to establish before switching |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Plus KMICP | Dedicated analog microcurrent controls, μA/mA selection, and selectable polarity | Match your device instructions and clinician’s program. |
| InTENSity Select Combo DI8195 | Includes TENS, EMS, interferential, and microcurrent modes | Confirm that its microcurrent parameters and controls can deliver the specific prescription; sharing a modality name does not make settings interchangeable. |
| InTENSity Select Combo II | Includes TENS, NMES, interferential, and Russian stimulation | It does not list a microcurrent mode. Do not confuse it with the DI8195 Select Combo. |
For the broader difference between sensory stimulation and muscle activation, see our TENS vs. NMES comparison. A change in treatment goal requires a clinical decision, not simply a higher-output device.
Cleaning, storage, and service
The Micro Plus manual permits isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the device. It cautions against open flames when using flammable liquids, excessive cleaning liquid, and immersing the unit. Follow the electrode manufacturer’s separate cleaning and storage instructions; device-cleaning guidance does not authorize applying alcohol to electrode gel.
Remove the battery for long-term storage. Dispose of damaged or leaking batteries and electronic equipment according to local regulations.
The supplied manual describes a limited two-year manufacturer warranty. Retain your proof of purchase and request service instructions before sending the unit for assessment. Coverage excludes specified causes such as misuse, unauthorized alteration, and failure to follow instructions, and does not extend to the accessory items listed in the warranty. Read the full warranty for its terms.
When you contact our support team, include:
- Micro Plus model identification and your manual revision.
- Whether one or both channel lights come on.
- Battery type and the installation checks you completed.
- Photographs of the controls and both ends of the lead wires.
- Whether the concern is absent sensation, power, damaged accessories, or lack of treatment benefit.
For original control and setup illustrations, see the operating-instructions panel and treatment-steps panel in our product image collection. The manufacturer-warranty panel preserves the original warranty wording. Browse our electrotherapy manuals for other models.
Source basis: BioMedical Life Systems Micro Plus operator’s manual, Rev. K, March 18, 2022. The manufacturer’s Rev. G specification sheet is identified separately where its values differ. This article provides original operating guidance and does not replace the complete instructions supplied with the device.
Copyright © Balego Inc. Original manufacturer illustrations and manual panels retain their respective copyright attribution.
