Electrotherapy stimulation device having electrode peel off detection capabilities
First Claim
1. An electrotherapy device for use in providing a stimulation signal to a patient and monitoring the device'"'"'s connection characteristics so as to avoid undesirable conditions, the electrotherapy device comprising:
- a stimulation signal generator having a therapy signal output attachable to the patient, the stimulation signal generator capable of producing a pulsed stimulation signal in response to a control signal, the pulsed stimulation signal having on and off periods;
a controller attached to the stimulation signal generator, the controller capable of generating the control signal so as to control the characteristics of the pulsed signal; and
a feedback connection operatively coupling the therapy signal output to the controller, wherein the controller can determine connection quality by sampling the pulsed signal during the on periods.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved operating features for an electrotherapy device are provided by the use of a peel off detection system which monitors device operation and provides necessary corrective action where appropriate. More specifically, the electrotherapy device monitors the connection characteristics of the electrodes, in order to determine if acceptable connections are being maintained to the patient. In order to monitor these connections, a baseline signal measurement is made when the system is first started. Subsequent measurements are then compared to this baseline measurement, to insure that the magnitude stays within an acceptable range. If the measurement shows a non-acceptable connection condition, the electrotherapy device is shut down and appropriate warning signals are provided to the user. Where multiple output channels are used, isolation circuits are included in the feedback network in order to insure no signal coupling exists.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrotherapy device for use in providing a stimulation signal to a patient and monitoring the device'"'"'s connection characteristics so as to avoid undesirable conditions, the electrotherapy device comprising:
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a stimulation signal generator having a therapy signal output attachable to the patient, the stimulation signal generator capable of producing a pulsed stimulation signal in response to a control signal, the pulsed stimulation signal having on and off periods;
a controller attached to the stimulation signal generator, the controller capable of generating the control signal so as to control the characteristics of the pulsed signal; and
a feedback connection operatively coupling the therapy signal output to the controller, wherein the controller can determine connection quality by sampling the pulsed signal during the on periods. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A multi channel therapy device for providing a plurality of stimulation signals to a patient and for monitoring those signals to insure that undesirable conditions are avoided:
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a controller for coordinating the operation of the therapy device;
a first therapy signal generator attached to the controller for producing a first therapy signal at a first therapy signal output;
a second therapy signal generator attached to the controller for producing a second therapy signal at a second therapy signal output;
an isolation circuit connecting the first therapy output to the controller while also providing electrical isolation between the first therapy output and the second therapy output;
a feedback connection attaching the second therapy signal output to the controller; and
wherein the controller will monitor the first therapy output and the second therapy output to insure that undesirable conditions are avoided. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing peel off detection during the operation of an electrotherapy device, comprising:
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initially attaching a plurality of electrodes to a patient, each electrode attached to the electrotherapy device;
powering up the electrotherapy device causing the creation of a plurality of initial stimulation pulses;
sampling the initial stimulation pulses to create a baseline stimulation pulse measurement and subsequently storing a baseline magnitude value representative of the magnitude of the baseline stimulation pulse measurement;
continuing to operate the electrotherapy device, thus creating a plurality of therapy pulses to provide a desired treatment to a patient;
sampling the therapy pulses to create a normal operating pulse measurement and storing a magnitude value representative of the magnitude of the therapy pulse;
comparing the magnitude value with the baseline magnitude value to determine a difference value; and
evaluating the difference value to determine if it is within a predetermined range, and if it is not within the predetermined range, shutting down the operation of the electrotherapy device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification