Portable unit for treating chronic pain

• US 20060041285A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MedFaxx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MedFaxx, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US11/196,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041285A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

A portable pain treatment unit includes: a first pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in a frequency range typical for interferential treatment; a second pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) treatment; electrodes operatively connected with the first and second pulse generators that are configured for application to a treatment area; and a power source operatively connected to the first and second pulse generators. A device of this configuration enables the patient to receive either IF or TENS treatment at a location of his/her choosing rather than being forced to receive IF treatment in a clinical setting.

Claims

1. A portable pain treatment unit, comprising:

a first pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in a frequency range typical for interferential treatment;

a second pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) treatment;

electrodes operatively connected with the first and second pulse generators that are configured for application to a treatment area; and

a power source operatively connected to the first and second pulse generators.

2. The treatment unit defined in claim 1, wherein the second pulse generator is configured to provide a pulse width of at least 300 microseconds.

3. The treatment unit defined in claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a nickel metal hydride battery.

4. The treatment unit defined in claim 3, wherein the battery is a 9-volt battery.

5. The treatment unit defined in claim 1, wherein the unit comprises four electrodes.

6. The treatment unit defined in claim 1, wherein the first pulse generator is configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range between about 3,900 and 5,250 Hz per channel.

7. The treatment unit defined in claim 1, wherein the second pulse generator is configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range between about 0.5 and 300 Hz.

8. The treatment unit defined in claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to alternatively activate the first pulse generator or the second pulse generator.

9. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, comprising:

a pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for TENS treatment;

electrodes operatively connected to the pulse generator that are configured for application to a treatment area; and

a power source operatively connected to the pulse generator;

wherein the pulse generator has an enhanced pulse width of at least 300 microseconds.

10. The treatment unit defined in claim 9, wherein the power source comprises a nickel metal hydride battery.

11. The treatment unit defined in claim 10, wherein the battery is a 9-volt battery.

12. The treatment unit defined in claim 9, wherein the unit comprises four electrodes.

13. The treatment unit defined in claim 9, wherein the pulse generator is configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range between about 0.5 and 300 Hz.