Measurement and stimulation of muscle tissue
First Claim
1. An apparatus for electrical stimulation of muscle tissue, comprising:
- an electrode system comprising;
an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrode pads, wherein the electrode array can be placed in electrical contact with said muscle tissue; and
a sensor for sensing a property of said muscle tissue, wherein the property forms a measure of the activity of said muscle tissue, wherein the sensor comprises a measuring circuit for measuring, for at least two of said electrode pads, the impedance between the electrode pad and a surface on which the electrode array isan electrode selector for selecting from said plurality of electrode pads at least one stimulating electrode pad that is suitable to provide an electrical stimulation signal based on the measured impedance;
a signal generator connected to said electrode array for providing the electrical stimulation signal to said at least one selected stimulation electrode pad.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (1) for electrical stimulation of muscle tissue. The apparatus has an electrode system (10) with an electrode array (13). The array has a plurality of electrode pads (12) and can be placed in electrical contact with the muscle tissue. The electrode system Further has a sensor (30; 31-36) for sensing a property of the muscle tissue. The property forms a measure for the activity of the muscle tissue. The apparatus (1) has an electrode selector (530) for selecting one or more stimulating electrode pads. A signal generator (531) is connected to the electrode array (13) for providing an electrical stimulation signal to the stimulation electrode pad. A signal processor (532) is connected to said sensor (30; 31-36), for determining from the sensor signal a value of the muscle activity and outputting the value in a for humans perceptible form. This reduces the accuracy required to position the electrode system (10) and increases the accuracy of measuring the muscle tissue activity.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electrical stimulation of muscle tissue, comprising:
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an electrode system comprising; an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrode pads, wherein the electrode array can be placed in electrical contact with said muscle tissue; and a sensor for sensing a property of said muscle tissue, wherein the property forms a measure of the activity of said muscle tissue, wherein the sensor comprises a measuring circuit for measuring, for at least two of said electrode pads, the impedance between the electrode pad and a surface on which the electrode array is an electrode selector for selecting from said plurality of electrode pads at least one stimulating electrode pad that is suitable to provide an electrical stimulation signal based on the measured impedance; a signal generator connected to said electrode array for providing the electrical stimulation signal to said at least one selected stimulation electrode pad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17)
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3. (canceled)
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13. An electrode system, comprising:
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an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrode pads, wherein the electrode array can be placed in electrical contact with muscle tissue, said electrode array being connectable to an electrode selector for selecting from said plurality of electrode pads at least one stimulating electrode pad and providing an electrical stimulation signal to said at least one stimulation electrode pad; and a sensor for sensing a property of said muscle tissue, which property forms a measure for the activity of said muscle tissue, the sensor comprising a measuring circuit for measuring, for at least two of said electrode pads, the impedance between the electrode pad and a surface on which the electrode array is positioned.
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14. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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16. (canceled)
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18. An apparatus for electrical stimulation of tissue comprising:
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an array of electrodes configured to be positionable on the tissue to be stimulated; one or more sensors for measuring an activity of the tissue; an electrode selector for selecting electrodes based on the activity measured; and a signal generator that provides an electrical signal to the selected electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification