Modular stimulus applicator system and method

• US 10,603,208 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2012
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carewave Medical, Inc
• Original Assignee: Carewave Medical, Inc
• Inventors: Dunbar, Peter J., Chabal, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Behringer, Luther
• Application Number:
  US13/981,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20140207219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,990 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0095 with a temperature indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/00 Apparatus for passive exercising A61H5/00 takes precedence; Vibrating apparatus driving means for vibrating A61H23/00; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0107 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1614 Shoulder, e.g. for neck stretching
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5028 Contact activation, i.e. activated at contact with a surface of the user to be treated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5046 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5092 Optical sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/062 Shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/505 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 : with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 : Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0428 : Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/044 : Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 : Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 : Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 : Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 : for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 : Control systems

Abstract

A modular stimulus applicator system and method are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of wirelessly controlled stimulus pods, anchored to a patient'"'"'s body, and configured to deliver stimulus to the patient'"'"'s body. The stimulus can be heat, vibration, or electrical stimulus, or any combination thereof. The stimulus pods are controlled by a control station that can include a user-interface through which the patient can control application of the stimulus.

Claims

1. A system for treating portions of a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

a stimulus pod including a plug having an outer perimeter less than that of the stimulus pod, a contact surface configured to contact the patient'"'"'s body, a battery, and a circuit board enabling control logic for the stimulus pod;

an anchor having;

an attachment ring including an aperture having substantially the same inner perimeter as the outer perimeter of the plug, the attachment ring configured to releasably receive the stimulus pod;

an adhesive element configured to apply to the patient'"'"'s body; and

wherein the inner perimeter of the aperture is positioned to receive at least a portion of the plug of the stimulus pod such that the contact surface of the stimulus pod projects through the aperture and beyond the adhesive element to contact the patient'"'"'s body; and

an attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach the stimulus pod to the attachment ring with the contact surface of the stimulus pod contacting the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the stimulus pod is configured to deliver stimulus to the patient'"'"'s body according to the control logic.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the stimulus pod is configured to treat the patient'"'"'s body with at least one of thermal stimulus, electrical stimulus, or vibration stimulus.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least one of a magnetic link, a resilient mechanical fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener, or a threaded fastener.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the stimulus pod comprises a wireless communication link, the system further comprising a control station configured to communicate with the stimulus pod through a wireless communication link.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a charging station having a plurality of sockets shaped to receive at least one stimulus pod and to charge the battery of the stimulus pod.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the contact surface has at least one of a flat profile, a convex profile, a series of projections, or a sinusoidal profile.