Electrode-positioning body garment

• US 20020077688A1
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas C. Kirkland
• Original Assignee: Thomas C. Kirkland
• Inventors: Kirkland, Thomas C.
• Application Number:
  US10/017,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077688A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/142
• 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 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

A garment made of a flexible elastic material fits snug to the body and is used in conjunction with an electrical muscle and/or nerve stimulation device. The garment is specifically structured to advantageously position electrode pads at predetermined positions on the body corresponding with different muscle or nerve groups. In one embodiment, wires connecting to the electrodes lead to an interface connector that connects to an external controller of the stimulation device. Alternatively, the entire stimulation device, including the controller, is carried on the garment. The controller enables the user to selectively direct stimulation signals to one or more of the electrode pads in order to target specific muscle or nerve groups of the body. The controller further permits selective adjustment of the duration and intensity of the signal and electrical pulse delivered to the specific muscle groups and/or nerve areas. In a further embodiment, the garment is in the form of a sleeve or wrap and is structured to cover a specific area of the body to be treated, such as the arms, legs, abdomen, chest or face.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying electrical stimulation signals to the body of a human user, comprising:

a garment structured and disposed to fit snug against the user'"'"'s body so that said garment covers at least a portion of the user'"'"'s body;

at least one electrode device fitted to said garment in a manner which positions said electrode device against the user'"'"'s skin in electrical conducting contact therewith at a select location on the body when said garment is worn by the user;

stimulation signal means for generating the electrical stimulation signals; and

conductor means for electrically connecting said stimulation signal means to said at least one electrode device.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 comprising:

a plurality of said electrode devices fitted to said garment; and

said conductor means electrically connecting said electrical signal means to each of said plurality of electrode devices.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of electrode devices are arranged on said garment for positioning against the user'"'"'s skin in electrical conducting contact therewith at predetermined positions on the body corresponding with specific muscle groups.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said stimulation signal means includes control means for selectively directing the generated electrical stimulation signals to one or more of said plurality of electrode devices correspondingly positioned with one or more of said muscle groups.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said stimulation signal means includes means for selective adjustment of the duration and intensity of the generated electrical stimulation signals.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said garment is a full body suit structured and disposed to cover the upper body and lower body of the user, including the arms, chest, back, torso, hips, buttocks, and legs.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said full body suit includes two pieces, including an upper body garment portion and a lower body garment portion.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about a select area of the user'"'"'s body.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about the lower torso of the user in covering relation to the user'"'"'s abdomen.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about the user'"'"'s arm.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about the user'"'"'s leg.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said garment is in the form of a mask and is structured and disposed for covering at least a portion of the user'"'"'s face.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of electrode devices are arranged on said garment for positioning against the user'"'"'s skin in electrical conducting contact therewith at predetermined positions on the body corresponding with specific muscle groups.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said stimulation signal means includes control means for selectively directing the generated electrical stimulation signals to one or more of said plurality of electrode devices to selectively stimulate one or more of the specific muscle groups.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said stimulation signal means includes means for selective adjustment of the duration and intensity of the generated electrical stimulation signals.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said garment is a full body suit structured and disposed to cover the upper body and lower body of the user, including the arms, chest, back, torso, hips, buttocks, and legs.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about a select area of the user'"'"'s body.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about the lower torso of the user in covering relation to the user'"'"'s abdomen.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said garment is structured and disposed to wrap about the arm or leg of the user.

13. An apparatus for applying electrical stimulation signals to the body of a human user, comprising:

a garment structured and disposed to fit snug against the user'"'"'s body so that said garment covers at least a portion of the user'"'"'s body;

stimulation signal means for generating the electrical stimulation signals; and

a plurality of electrode devices fitted to said garment and electrically connected to said stimulation signal means, said plurality of electrode devices each contacting the user'"'"'s skin in electrical conducting contact therewith when said garment is worn by the user.