Electro-acupuncture device with stimulation electrode assembly

• US 20030195585A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReliefBand Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Woodside Biomedical, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grey, Thomas L., Gruzdowich, Gregory J., Tait, Hogar, Duffy, Robert J., Mann, Thomas L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,171,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/321 Electromedical belts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/907 Acupuncture

Abstract

An electro-acupuncture device for controlling nausea. The device includes a base unit which is includes a wrist-watch like housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and a strap for securing the housing to the wrist. The base unit has a standardized construction. The device also includes a releasably attachable electrode assembly. The electrode assembly attaches to the base unit of the device. The electrode assembly includes a pair of electrodes and connectors for connecting the electrodes to the circuitry of the base unit. The output of the device is dependent upon the circuitry of the electrode assembly. Thus various electrode assemblies can be made. The circuitry of the base unit modifies the output of the device depending upon which electrode assembly is attached to the base unit.

Claims

1. A device for applying electrical stimulation to a patient, said device comprising:

a housing having an outer face and an inner face, said inner face being adapted to be applied to the patient;

an electrode assembly releasably attachable to the inner face of the housing and adapted for contact with the patient;

said electrode assembly comprising an electrode and having an electronically identifiable parameter;

control circuitry operably connected to the electrode, said circuitry being selectively operable by the patient to generate electrical stimulation pulses and transmit those pulses through the electrodes to the body;

said control circuitry being operable to sense the electronically identifiable parameter of the electrode assembly and provide electrical stimulation pulses of differing characteristics depending on the value of the sensed electronically identifiable parameter;

wherein the electronically identifiable parameter is resistance; and

wherein the control circuitry is operable to provide stimulation pulses having a first set of characteristics where sensed resistance falls within a first predetermined range, and to provide no stimulation where sensed resistance falls within a second predetermined range.

2. A device for applying electrical stimulation to a patient, said device comprising:

a housing having an outer face and an inner face, said inner face being adapted to be applied to the patient;

an electrode assembly having a releasable connection to the inner face of the housing and adapted for contact with the patient;

said electrode assembly comprising an electrode and having an electronically identifiable parameter;

control circuitry operably connected to the electrode, said circuitry being operable to generate electrical stimulation pulses and transmit those pulses through the electrodes to the body;

said control circuitry being operable to sense the electronically identifiable parameter of the electrode assembly and provide electrical stimulation pulses sensing the electronically identifiable parameter where the electronically identifiable parameter falls within a predetermined range.

3. An electrode assembly for use with an electro-acupuncture base unit, said electro-acupuncture base unit having a keyed connector for releasable connection to the electrode assembly and a control circuit for generating an electro-acupuncture stimulus, said electrode assembly comprising:

a pair of electrodes;

a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to the base unit, said connector being keyed to the keyed connector on the base unit, said connector electrically connecting the electrodes to the control circuit;

a jumper operably connected to the control circuit by the connector;

wherein the control circuit is designed to provide electro-acupuncture stimulation at one or more predetermined stimulation patterns depending on whether the control circuit senses the presence of the jumper.

4. An electrode assembly for use with an electro-acupuncture base unit, said electro-acupuncture base unit having a keyed connector for releasable connection to the electrode assembly and a control circuit for generating an electro-acupuncture stimulus, said electrode assembly comprising:

a pair of electrodes;

a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to the base unit, said connector being keyed to the keyed connector on the base unit, said connector electrically connecting the electrodes to the control circuit;

an open circuit operably connected to the control circuit by the connector;

wherein the control circuit is designed to provide electro-acupuncture stimulation at one or more predetermined stimulation patterns depending on whether the control circuit senses the presence of the open circuit.

5. An electrode assembly for use with an electro-acupuncture base unit, said electro-acupuncture base unit having a keyed connector for releasable connection to the electrode assembly and a control circuit for generating an electro-acupuncture stimulus, said electrode assembly comprising:

a pair of electrodes;

a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to the base unit, said connector being keyed to the keyed connector on the base unit, said connector electrically connecting the electrodes to the control circuit;

a memory device storing configuration data in a form accessible to the control circuit, said memory device operably connected to the control circuit by the connector;

wherein the control circuit is designed to provide electro-acupuncture stimulation at-one or more predetermined stimulation patterns depending the value of the configuration data sensed by the control circuit.