ELECTRICAL STIMULATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT AND PAIN MANAGEMENT

• US 20100042180A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DJO LLC (Enovis Corp.), Encore Medical Asset Corporation (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Compeq Technology Company Limited, Compex Medical S.A. (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Masko, Marshall, Lavalley, Patrick, Guex, Steve, Mueller, Pierre-Yves, Buhlmann, Felix, Schonenberger, Klaus, Moore, Gary L., Lampo, Pierre-Yves
• Granted Patent: US 8,958,883 B2
• 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 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/322 Electromedical brushes, combs, massage devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

A disposable electrical stimulation device and method for providing therapeutic treatment and pain management in a convenient, compact configuration. Electrode size and shape and relative configuration can be varied according to an intended application and use, or a universal configuration can be provided for use on almost any area of the body. The common structure of communicatively coupled dual electrodes including control circuitry and a power source accommodates a range of different sizes, configurations, stimulation treatment intensities, and other physical and electrical characteristics that can be pre-customized and packaged for specific, limited time use. The device can therefore be used in methods of providing therapy, managing pain, and achieving other treatment goals by electrical stimulation.

Claims

1. A compact electrical stimulation device comprising:

a first and a second disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion;

a control module selectively attachable to the first electrode portion and comprising;

at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic;

a status indicator adapted to indicate at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program; and

a first and a second control input adapted to customize the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range, the first control input tactilely differentiated from the second control input;

a flexible cable coupled at a first end to the control module and selectively attachable at a second end to the second electrode portion; and

a power source housed in a structure also having the control module and electrically coupled to the control module to power the electrical stimulation device.

2. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the power source is replaceable.

3. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the control module is disposable when the power source is depleted.

4. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one preprogrammed treatment program is selected from a group consisting of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) program, a muscle stimulation program, a massage program, a bone growth stimulation program, and a cartilage growth stimulation program.

5. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

6. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 5, wherein the control module comprises a transparent or semi-transparent housing, and wherein the status indicator is embedded within the control module housing.

7. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief connector proximate the second end, the strain relief connector including a snap connector selectively attachable to a corresponding snap connector of the second electrode portion.

8. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a snap connector selectively attachable to a corresponding snap connector of the first electrode portion.

9. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one customizable treatment characteristic comprises a stimulation intensity, and wherein the predetermined range varies from a preset minimum stimulation intensity to a preset maximum stimulation intensity.

10. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the first and second control inputs are integrated in a flexible dual-function keypad, and wherein a first zone of the keypad comprises the first control input and a second zone of the keypad comprises the second control input.

11. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 10, wherein the first zone comprises a depressible outer ring portion of the keypad and the second zone comprises a depressible inner button portion of the keypad.

12. A compact and disposable electrical stimulation device comprising:

a first and a second disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion;

a control module integrated with the first electrode portion and comprising;

at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic; and

a first and a second control input adapted to customize the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range, the first control input tactilely differentiated from the second control input;

a flexible cable coupled at a first end to the control module and at a second end to the second electrode portion; and

a power source electrically coupled with the control module and integrated with one of the first or second electrode portions.

13. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 12, wherein the at least one preprogrammed treatment program is selected from a group consisting of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) program, a muscle stimulation program, a massage program, a bone growth stimulation program, and a cartilage growth stimulation program.

14. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 12, wherein the control module further comprises a status indicator adapted to indicate at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program.

15. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 14, wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

16. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 12, wherein the first and second electrode portions are coupled together by an integral electrical isolation portion.

17. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 16, wherein the flexible cable is embedded within the first and second electrode portions and the isolation portion.

18. A compact electrical stimulation device comprising:

a first and a second self-adhesive electrode portion;

a control module selectively attachable to the first electrode portion and comprising;

at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic;

a status indicator adapted to indicate at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program; and

a first and a second control input adapted to customize the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range, the first control input tactilely differentiated from the second control input;

a flexible cable coupled at a first end to the control module and at a second end to the second electrode portion; and

a power source electrically coupled to the control module by the flexible cable.

19. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the power source is integrated in the second electrode portion.

20. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the power source is integrated in a connector coupled to the second end of the flexible cable.

21. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the second electrode portion is disposable when the power source is depleted.

22. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 21, wherein the control module is disposable when the power source is depleted.

23. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the at least one preprogrammed treatment program is selected from a group consisting of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) program, a muscle stimulation program, a massage program, a bone growth stimulation program, and a cartilage growth stimulation program.

24. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

25. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the second end of the flexible cable comprises a strain relief connector coupled to the second electrode portion.

26. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 18, wherein the control module comprises a snap connector selectively attachable to a corresponding snap connector of the first electrode portion.

27. A compact electrical stimulation device comprising:

first and second electrode means for delivering electrical stimulation treatment to a user;

control means for selecting and generating electrical stimulation treatment, the control means selectively attachable to the first electrode means and comprising;

at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic;

status indicator means for indicating at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program; and

tactilely distinguishable input means for selecting the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range;

cable means coupled at a first end to the control means and comprising strain relief connector means at a second end, the strain relief connector means selectively attachable to the second electrode means; and

power supply means housed in the strain relief connector means and electrically coupled to the control means by the cable means.