Systems and methods for therapeutic electrical stimulation

• US 10,071,237 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2017
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DJO LLC (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: DJO LLC (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Bachinski, Thomas Jerome, Shindley, Richard Paul, Lutz, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US15/476,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20170203095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 607 2, 607 46, 607115, 607117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/04 Electrodes electrosurgical electrodes A61B18/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0428 Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0468 Specially adapted for promoting wound healing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/323 Interference currents, i.e. treatment by several currents summed in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

In various embodiments, the invention disclosed herein provides systems, devices and methods for providing electrical stimulation to a patient. An electrical mechanical interconnection is provided to facilitate user friendly systems and devices. Exemplary therapeutic electrical stimulation devices include a shoe connected mechanically and electrically to a conductor that provides signals for electrical stimulation.

Claims

1. A system for delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation, comprising:

a controller comprising an electrical signal generator; and

a receptacle comprising at least one conductor, wherein the conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical signal generator, wherein the receptacle is arranged and configured to receive a portion of a patch to electrically couple a portion of the patch with the conductor, wherein the receptacle defines a detent positioned to capture the portion of the patch to retain the portion within the receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery configured to power the electrical signal generator, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery selected from the group consisting of a lithium-ion battery nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, and a rechargeable alkaline battery.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to be connected to a battery charger, wherein the battery charger is configured to receive power from an external power supply to recharge the rechargeable battery.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the battery charger is an electrical power transformer.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the electrical power transformer is configured to be plugged into a wall outlet or an automobile outlet to provide power to charge the rechargeable battery.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller comprises an auxiliary charging port.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the auxiliary charging port is a USB port or a micro-USB port.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication device.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a patient computing system configured to communicate with a server comprising a database and Web server.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate data signals via a data communication network with at least one of a docking station, a server, a caregiver computing system, a patient computing system, and a wireless router.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller and the docking station are configured to be in data communication.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller and the wireless router are configured to be in data communication.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication network is selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, and an intranet.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface having a power button.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the patch is configured for delivery of a therapeutic electrical stimulation, the patch comprising:

an insulating layer having a first side and a second side;

at least two electrodes adjacent to the second side of the patch, wherein each of the electrodes is electrically coupled to a conductor; and

an adhesive layer connected to the second side of the insulating layer.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to generate electrical signals for at least one of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, drug delivery, iontophoresis therapy, edema reduction, wound healing, and interferential current therapy.

17. A method of operating a system to deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation, comprising:

providing the system of claim 1;

operating the controller in a first mode by executing a first firmware algorithm, whereby a first therapeutic electrical stimulation is delivered;

downloading a second firmware algorithm;

installing the second firmware algorithm onto the controller; and

executing the second firmware algorithm to operate the controller in a second mode, whereby a second therapeutic electrical stimulation is delivered, wherein the first therapeutic electrical stimulation and the second therapeutic electrical stimulation are different from each other.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first mode provides a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising accessing a patient interface of a web server prior to downloading the second firmware algorithm.