METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RELIEF OF HEADACHE

• US 20070149905A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph Hanna
• Original Assignee: Joseph Hanna
• Inventors: Hanna, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/566,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20070149905A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/79
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1607 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/025 Forehead
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/028 Temples
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/006 Helmets for head-massage baths for the head A61H35/008; washing, rinsing, drying A45D

Abstract

A non-pharmaceutical apparatus for relieving pain that that is not invasive, does not require medical personnel to administer, and does not cause pain, is provided. The apparatus comprises: a vibration system comprising a vibration generator; at least one power source, to provide power to the vibration generator; optionally an amplitude control device which controls the amplitude of the vibration; optionally a frequency control device which controls the frequency of vibration; and a head-piece adapted to fit the patient'"'"'s head, which holds at least one component of the vibration system against the patient'"'"'s head. The vibration system further comprises: optionally a vibrating which receives vibrations from the vibration generator and transmits them to the patient'"'"'s head. Optionally, the pain relieving apparatus further comprises a microprocessor and a memory device. A method of relieving headache pain in a patient is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a therapeutic benefit to a user with respect to headaches or headache symptoms, comprising:

a signal generator generating an electrical signal at a predetermined frequency between 50 and 250 Hz and having a predetermined duty cycle between 10-20%;

a remote skin transducer in circuit communication with the signal generator to generate vibrations applied to the user'"'"'s head in accordance with the electrical signal generated by the signal generator; and

a headband to secure the skin transducer to the user'"'"'s head.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the predetermined frequency is selected from any of the following:

100 Hz, about 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and about 200 Hz.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the amplitude of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the duty cycle of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the predetermined frequency is selected from any of the following;

100 Hz, about 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and about 200 Hz;

the amplitude of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface; and

the duty cycle of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface.

6. An apparatus for preventing headaches, comprising:

a signal generator generating an electrical signal at a predetermined frequency between 50 and 250 Hz and having a predetermined duty cycle between 10-20%;

a remote skin transducer in circuit communication with the signal generator to generate vibrations applied to the user'"'"'s head in accordance with the electrical signal generated by the signal generator; and

a headband to secure the skin transducer to the user'"'"'s head.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the predetermined frequency is selected from any of the following:

100 Hz, about 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and about 200 Hz.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the amplitude of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the duty cycle of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the predetermined frequency is selected from any of the following;

100 Hz, about 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and about 200 Hz;

the amplitude of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface; and

the duty cycle of the electrical signal is adjustable via a user interface.