Device for surface stimulation of acupuncture points

• US 20040088036A1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Russel Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Russel Group LLC
• Inventors: Gilbert, Bruce R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,961,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/148
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• 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 1/0456 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 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A device, which is preferably disc shaped, has two primary layers. A first layer has one side, which is the lower side in use, for adhering to a patient'"'"'s skin surface, a second, upper layer on the underside of which electrical circuitry is printed or affixed so that the electrical circuitry is sandwiched between the layers. The device can be made in several sizes to accommodate patient size and location of the acupuncture point to be stimulated. Two distinct forms of the device are presented: a single use and a reusable device for. In the single use device, the first, lower layer is preferably a foam with non-conductive adhesive on both sides: the bottom side for adhering to the skin and the top side for adhering to the upper polyester disc. The holes through this lower foam layer include, preferably, eight holes spaced concentrically about one central hole in the middle of the lower foam layer. All these holes are, preferably, overfilled with an electrically conductive gel that projects from the lower foam layer. The conductive circuitry preferably printed on the underside of the upper layer provides a series connection to the gel in each of the eight concentric holes and a separate connection to the gel in the center hole when the upper layer is adhered to the lower layer. The printed circuitry may be a silver/silver chloride polymer film, also provides for a tab(s) which can be permanently or temporarily affixed to an integral or remote simulator through direct contact or wire leads. In the reusable device a pressure-sensitive adhesive material forms the lower layer which allows for multiple applications to a patient'"'"'s skin. The adhesive lower layer is transparent to show the circular central electrode the annular electrode. The electrodes are preferably silver/silver chloride polymer film. In either configuration, metal core insulated leads can be use for electrical connection with the opposite ends of the leads connected to jacks for connection to an impulse stimulator or can end in electrically conductive tabs.

Claims

1. A device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point, comprising:

a first electrically insulating layer;

a second pressure sensitive, electrically insulating adhesive layer having one side adhered on one surface of the first layer, whereby the opposite side of the second layer adheres to a skin surface for use, the second layer having a central hole and a series of holes spaced about a circle about the central hole therethrough;

electrically conductive gel in the holes and projecting therefrom for electrical connection to the skin surface when the opposite side of the second layer is adhered thereto;

a first electrical conductor sandwiched between the layers and electrically connecting the gel in the series of holes about the circle;

a second electrical conductor sandwiched between the layers, electrically connected to the gel in the central hole at one end and extending to an opposite tab end for electrical connection to a stimulator; and

a third electrical conductor sandwiched between the layers, electrically connected to the first conductor at one end and extending to an opposite tab end for electrical connection to the stimulator.

2. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 1, wherein the first layer has first and second holes therethrough respectively over the tab ends of the second and third conductors for bending the second and third conductors from a shipping condition at least substantially parallel to the first layer to a use condition projecting therefrom.

3. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 1, wherein the tab ends of the second and third conductors project on a tab of the first layer for the connections to the stimulator.

4. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 1, wherein the gel overfills the holes.

5. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 1, wherein the holes about the circle are radially spaced from the central hole an integral multiple of an average cun.

6. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 2, wherein the holes about the circle are radially spaced from the central hole an integral multiple of an average cun.

7. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 3, wherein the holes about the circle are radially spaced from the central hole an integral multiple of an average cun.

8. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 4, wherein the holes about the circle are radially spaced from the central hole an integral multiple of an average cun.

9. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 1, wherein the layers are congruent discs.

10. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 2, wherein the layers are congruent discs.

11. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 2, and further comprising the stimulator, wherein the stimulator comprises:

a power and/or control unit having a base for receiving the first layer, the base having slots for receiving the tab ends in the use condition; and

contacts in the slots for providing electric power from the contacts to the tab ends.

12. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 10, and further comprising the stimulator, wherein the stimulator comprises:

a power and/or control unit having a base for receiving the first layer, the base having slots for receiving the tab ends in the use condition; and

contacts in the slots for providing electric power from the contacts to the tab ends.

13. The electrode disc for adhering to a surface according to claim 11, and further comprising:

a lip on the base about at least the first layer for holding together with the tab ends, slots and contacts the power and/or control unit on the first layer.

14. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 12, and further comprising:

a lip on the base about the layers for holding together with the tab ends, slots and contacts the power and/or control unit on the first layer.

15. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 2, wherein the gel overfills the holes.

16. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 3, wherein the gel overfills the holes.

17. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 6, and further comprising the stimulator, wherein the stimulator comprises:

a power and/or control unit having a base for receiving the first layer, the base having slots for receiving the tab ends in the use condition; and

contacts in the slots for providing electric power from the contacts to the tab ends.

18. The electrode disc for adhering to a surface according to claim 17, and further comprising:

a lip on the base about at least the first layer for holding together with the tab ends, slots and contacts the power and/or control unit on the first layer.

19. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 6, and further comprising the stimulator, wherein the stimulator comprises:

a power and/or control unit having a base for receiving the first layer, the base having slots for receiving the tab ends in the use condition; and

contacts in the slots for providing electric power from the contacts to the tab ends.

20. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 19, and further comprising the stimulator, wherein the stimulator comprises:

a power and/or control unit having a base for receiving the first layer, the base having slots for receiving the tab ends in the use condition; and

contacts in the slots for providing electric power from the contacts to the tab ends.

26. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 1 of varying diameters.

21. A device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point, comprising:

a first electrically insulating layer;

a circular electrode film having one side on the first layer and an opposite side;

an annular electrode film having one side on the first layer and spaced a distance about the circular electrode film and an opposite side;

a second pressure-sensitive electrically conductive adhesive layer on at least all of the opposite sides of the electrode films and the one side of the first layer across the distance the electrode films are spaced and adhered at least to the first layer, whereby an opposite side of the second layer adheres to a skin surface for use; and

electrical leads respectively to the circular and annular electrode films for connection to a stimulator.

22. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 21, wherein the second layer is transparent and the electrode films contrast visually with the first layer.

23. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 22, wherein the distance is an integral number of cun.

24. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the electrodes is a silver/silver chloride polymer film.

25. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 21, wherein the tab ends of the center and annular electrode film projects on a tab of the first layer for the connections to the stimulator.

27. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 21 of varying diameters.

28. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 21, wherein the layers and electrode films are manually flexible.

29. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 22, wherein the layers and electrode films are manually flexible.

30. The device for surface stimulation of an acupuncture point according to claim 23, wherein the layers and electrode films are manually flexible.