Neurostimulation

• US 20060052834A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teodor Goroszeniuk
• Original Assignee: Teodor Goroszeniuk
• Inventors: Goroszeniuk, Teodor
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for treating a patient for neurological or muscular pain by neurostimulation comprising a pair of electrodes to be applied externally, ie. to the surface of the skin, in the region of the pain and to apply a current of between 0.2 and 12 mA at a frequency of between 1 and 50 Hz, and preferably between 2 and 10 Hz. Optimal results appear to be achieved when the applied current is between 3 and 10 mA. In use at least one of the electrodes, a stimulating electrode is used to accurately locate the pain and during treatment the electrode is applied to the patient'"'"'s skin as located using mild pressure, whilst a stimulating pulse is applied as treatment. This action produces a remarkable and unexpected level of pain relief. The invention extends to a method for the treatment of neurological pain using the above parameters and procedure.

Claims

1. A device for the treatment of chronic pain by means of electrical neuro-stimulation comprising a pair of electrodes and an electronic power supply arranged to supply a pulsed signal between the electrodes of which one electrode is a reference electrode for attachment to the skin of a patient, and the other electrode is a stimulating electrode comprising a rigid stem with a substantially rounded end which is arranged, in use, to be pressed firmly onto a patient'"'"'s skin both to accurately locate a source of pain in response to a locating pulse and then to remain in place as located to treat the pain by applying an appropriate stimulating pulsed signal transcutaneously to treat the pain.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the power supply is arranged to deliver a pulsed signal at between 1 and 50 Hz, and preferably between 2 and 10 Hz.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 which is capable of supplying a current of between 0.2 mA and 12 mA to the electrodes when applied externally to the skin of a patient.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the power supply is arranged to be capable of supplying a current of between 3 and 10 mA at a frequency of between 2 and 10 Hz.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the power supply is arranged to operate at a voltage of 50 to 85 volts, and preferably at approximately 65 volts.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which a negative pulse is applied to the stimulating electrode making it in use a cathode.

7. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the electrodes comprise substantially hemispherical contacts which project from a support or straps which enable each electrode when in use to be pressed and held firmly against a patient'"'"'s skin in the desired region.

8. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the stimulating electrode has a contact area with a diameter of 3 to 20 mm.

9. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the stimulating electrode has a diameter of between 3 and 12 mm and preferably between 3 and 5 mm.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 in which the reference electrode comprises a flexible silicone-rubber/carbon electrode for attachment to the skin of a patient.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 in which the stimulating electrode is rigidly attached to or forms part of the power supply.

12. A device as claimed in claim 9 in which the power supply is in the form of a pen whose ‘

writing end’

comprises the stimulating electrode and a flexible reference electrode is connected to or near the other end.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 in which the power supply is in the form of a pistol grip to allow a person to hold it firmly in order to apply pressure to the stimulating electrode at its extremity.

14. A method for treating chronic or acute pain by neurostimulation comprising accurately locating the affected nerve by means of electrical neurostimulation and positioning a stimulating electrode on the patient'"'"'s skin externally over the nerve and applying a low frequency electrical stimulating pulse to it for as long as required in order to obtain relief from the pain.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which a current of between 0.2 and 12 mA is applied to the stimulating electrode at a frequency of between 1 and 50 Hz.

16. A method as claimed in claim 14 where the applied frequency is between 2 and 10 Hz.

17. A method as claimed in any of claim 16 in which the applied current is between 3 and 10 mA.

18. A method as claimed in any of claim 16 in which the current is applied for 5 minutes.

19. A method as claimed in any of claim 16 in which a negative current is applied to the stimulating electrode.