Systems And Methods For Immobilization Using Pulse Series

• US 20110157759A1
• Filed: 12/31/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Nerheim, Magne H., Smith, Patrick W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,098,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/232
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0018 for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target batons with electric discharge capability F41B15/04; electric shock devices for animals A01K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/04 providing pulse voltages mechanical self-interrupters H01H; electronic pulse-generators H03K
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

A cartridge for a system that uses a stimulus signal for immobilizing a human or animal target includes a propellant and a projectile propelled away from about the cartridge by the propellant. The projectile includes a power supply, a waveform generator, and several electrodes. The waveform generator is powered by the power supply. The waveform generator includes a processor. The electrodes complete a stimulus delivery circuit to conduct a current through the target. The waveform generator generates the current to include a first series of pulses and a second series of pulses. The second series begins after the first series is completed. The first series has a first pulse repetition rate determined by the processor. Each pulse of the first series has a first pulse width of from about 10 to about 1000 microseconds. Each pulse of the first series delivers through the target a first charge per pulse of from about 50 to about 500 microcoulombs. The second series has a second pulse repetition rate determined by the processor to be less than the first pulse repetition rate. Each pulse of the second series delivers through the target a charge greater than a minimum charge per pulse. A product of the second pulse repetition rate and the minimum charge per pulse is greater than 250.

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising:

a. a propellant; and

b. a projectile propelled away from the cartridge by the propellant, the projectile comprising;

(1) a power supply;

(2) a waveform generator powered by the power supply, the waveform generator comprising a processor; and

(3) a plurality of electrodes to conduct a current through a human or animal target, wherein

c. the waveform generator generates the current comprising a first series of pulses and a second series of pulses, the second series beginning after the first series is completed;

d. the first series has a first pulse repetition rate determined by the processor, each pulse of the first series having a first pulse width of from about 10 to about 1000 microseconds, each pulse of the first series delivering through the target a first charge per pulse of from about 50 to about 500 microcoulombs; and

e. the second series has a second pulse repetition rate determined by the processor to be less than the first pulse repetition rate, each pulse of the second series delivering through the target a charge greater than a minimum charge per pulse, a product of the second pulse repetition rate and the minimum charge per pulse being greater than 250.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first pulse repetition rate is from about 5 to about 50 pulses per second.

3. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first pulse repetition rate is about 20 pulses per second.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first pulse width is from about 20 to about 500 microseconds.

5. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first pulse width is from about 30 to about 200 microseconds.

6. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first pulse width is about 100 microseconds.

7. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first charge per pulse is from about 50 to about 150 microcoulombs.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first series is completed in from about 1 to about 5 seconds.

9. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first series is completed in about 2 seconds.

10. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second pulse repetition rate is from about 5 to about 15 pulses per second.

11. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second pulse repetition rate is about 10 pulses per second.

12. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second pulse width is from about 10 to about 1000 microseconds.

13. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second pulse width is about 50 microseconds.

14. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the minimum charge per pulse is from about 30 to about 100 microcoulombs.

15. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the minimum charge per pulse is about 50 microcoulombs.

16. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second series is completed in from about 20 to about 40 seconds.

17. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second series is completed in about 28 seconds.

18. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second series begins from about 1 to about 5 seconds after the first series is completed.