Rectal resonant muscle stimulator
First Claim
1. A method of stimulating a rectum musculature including slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature positioned between first and second electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the rectum musculature, comprising:
- applying a resonant sequence of pulses across the rectum musculature via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and towards the center of the musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus generate resonant sequences having pulses optimally spaced and configured to realize uniform contractions in a rectum musculature. Namely, each subsequent pulse maintains tension within sarcomeres of the rectum musculature as the resonant sequence propagates inwardly to progressively stimulate the entirety of the rectum musculature. Variation in the width, spacing, polarity and/or amplitude of the pulses comprising the resonant sequence further overcomes accommodation and nutritional depletion while minimizing discomfort.
99 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of stimulating a rectum musculature including slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature positioned between first and second electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the rectum musculature, comprising:
applying a resonant sequence of pulses across the rectum musculature via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and towards the center of the musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for stimulating a rectum musculature that contracts in response to a threshold potential, comprising:
a stimulator configured to produce at least one signal for transcutaneous delivery to a rectum musculature that includes slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature positioned between at least two electrodes, wherein a probe configured for rectal insertion includes at least one of the two electrodes, the stimulator being operable to apply a resonant sequence of pulses across the electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses in the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and toward the center of the rectum musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the rectum musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A program product, comprising:
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(a) a program for stimulating a rectum musculature that includes slow twitch muscle fibers, the rectum musculature being positioned between at least a first and second electrode respectively disposed at opposite ends of the rectum musculature, the program configured to initiate an application of a resonant sequence of pulses the rectum musculature via the electrodes, wherein the resonant sequence includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses in the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in the rectum musculature inwardly from the electrodes and toward the center of the rectum musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence; and
(b) a signal bearing medium bearing the program. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification