Systems and methods for immobilization

• US 20050115387A1
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Nerheim, Magne H., Smith, Patrick W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 89/1.110
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0012 Electrical discharge weapons, e.g. for stunning
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes provide the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage, a hold stage, and a rest stage. Systems include a launch device and separate projectile, where the projectile includes a battery, a waveform generator, and electrodes. The strike stage and hold stage may include pulses at a pulse repetition rate, for example, from 10 to 20 pulses per second, each pulse delivering a predetermined amount of charge, for example, about 100 microcoulombs at less than about 500 volts peak. The hold stage may continue immobilization at a lesser expenditure of energy compared to the strike stage. Because the strike stage and hold stage may immobilize by interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target'"'"'s nervous system, a rest stage may allow the target to take a breath.

Claims

1. A method for immobilizing a target with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes;

the method comprising;

a step for providing the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage;

a step for providing the stimulus signal in accordance with a hold stage; and

a step for providing the stimulus signal in accordance with a rest stage.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the stimulus signal during the strike stage comprises a first repetition rate; and

the stimulus signal during the hold stage comprises a second repetition rate less than the first repetition rate.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the stimulus signal during the strike stage comprises a first pulse that delivers a first charge to the target; and

the stimulus signal during the hold stage comprises a second pulse that delivers a second charge to the target less than the first charge.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulus signal during the strike stage has a peak voltage less than an ionization potential.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step for conditionally providing a path formation stage, wherein the stimulus signal is provided in accordance with whether the path formation stage preceded the strike stage.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the stimulus signal in a strike stage comprises a step for providing a series of pulses having a pulse repetition rate in a range of about 5 pulses per second to about 50 pulses per second, and providing at least one pulse of the series at a peak voltage less than an ionization potential to deliver a charge in a range of about 20 microcoulombs to about 1355 microcoulombs.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein each pulse delivers a charge in a range of about 50 to 150 microcoulombs.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising a step for reversing the polarity of consecutive pulses in the series.

9. A circuit for immobilizing a target, the circuit comprising:

a charge storage circuit; and

a processor circuit that obtains a first value corresponding to an initial charge stored in the charge storage circuit, couples the charge storage circuit to the target for discharging the charge storage circuit and delivering a charge into the target, obtains a second value corresponding to a current quantity of charge stored in the charge storage circuit, and limits discharging after delivery of a predetermined charge is indicated in accordance with the first value and the second value.

10. The circuit of claim 9 wherein the predetermined charge is in a range of about 20 to 1355 microcoulombs.

11. The circuit of claim 9 wherein the predetermined charge is in a range of about 50 to 150 microcoulombs.

12. A projectile comprising the circuit of claim 9.

13. A system for immobilizing a target, the system comprising a launch device and a projectile comprising the circuit of claim 12.

15. The circuit of claim 9 wherein the predetermined charge is in a range of about 20 to 500 microcoulombs.

16. The circuit of claim 9 wherein the predetermined charge is in a range of about 50 to 150 microcoulombs.

14. A circuit for immobilizing a target, the circuit comprising:

a charge storage circuit; and

a processor circuit that couples the charge storage circuit to the target to discharge the stored charge through the target via a series of pulses for continuous muscle contraction, each pulse of the series having a peak voltage magnitude less than about 500 volts, each pulse completed after a voltage monitored by the processor circuit crosses a threshold voltage magnitude, the threshold voltage magnitude being in accordance with delivery of a predetermined charge in a period of time ranging from about 20 to about 500 microseconds, the repetition rate of the series of pulses ranging from about 5 to about 50 pulses per second.

17. A projectile comprising the circuit of claim 14.

18. A system for immobilizing a target, the system comprising a launch device and a projectile comprising the circuit of claim 17.