METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STIMULATING THE LOWER BACK AND ABDOMINAL MUSCLES

• US 20120116477A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bio-Medical Research Limited, University College Dublin
• Original Assignee: Bio-Medical Research Limited
• Inventors: Crowe, Louis, Caulfield, Brian, Minogue, Conor
• Granted Patent: US 9,675,802 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 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/321 Electromedical belts
• 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 1/3603 Control systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for stimulating the lower back and abdominal muscles in a patient comprising applying a first electrode A1/A2 substantially centrally to the lower lumbar region of the patient'"'"'s body, and applying second and third electrodes B, C respectively to opposite side flanks of the patient'"'"'s body. The electrodes are energised to apply a first group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the second and third electrodes and a second group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes alternately.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. Apparatus for stimulating muscles in a patient, the apparatus comprising a garment incorporating a plurality of electrodes for application to the patient'"'"'s body, and drive circuitry arranged to energise the electrodes with current pulses, wherein the apparatus is designed for stimulating the lower back and abdominal muscles of the patient, the electrodes being positioned relative to the garment such that when the garment is worn a first electrode is applied to the lower lumbar region of the patient'"'"'s body and second and third electrodes are applied respectively to opposite side flanks of the patient'"'"'s trunk, and in that the drive circuitry is adapted to apply a first group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the second and third electrodes and a second group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes.

27. The apparatus claimed in claim 26, wherein the first electrode extends between and covers at least the upper sacrum and the fifth lumber vertebra of the patient when the garment is worn.

28. The apparatus claimed in claim 27, wherein the lower end of the first electrode forms a wedge shape which points into the patient'"'"'s gluteal cleft when the garment is worn.

29. The apparatus claimed in claim 26, wherein the first electrode comprises two individually energisable segments disposed substantially symmetrically relative to the patient'"'"'s spine when the garment is worn.

30. The apparatus claimed in claim 26, wherein each of the second and third electrodes is located between the patient'"'"'s iliac crest and ribs when the garment is worn.

31. The apparatus claimed in claim 26, wherein at least one of the second and third electrodes comprises a plurality of individually energisable segments.

32. The apparatus claimed in claim 26, wherein the first electrode has an area less than half that of the second or third electrode.

33. The apparatus claimed in claim 26, wherein the drive circuitry allows a user to select from a number of pre-programmed pulse characteristics, some of which may be asymmetrical in order to achieve a symmetrical contraction.

34. A method of stimulating the lower back and abdominal muscles in a patient, comprising applying a first electrode to the lower lumbar region of the patient'"'"'s body, applying second and third electrodes respectively to opposite side flanks of the patient'"'"'s trunk, and energising the electrodes to apply a first group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the second and third electrodes and a second group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, wherein successive pulses in the first group flow in opposite directions between the second and third electrodes alternately.

36. A method as claimed in claim 34, wherein successive pulses in the second group flow between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes alternately.

37. The method claimed in claim 34, wherein the first electrode extends between and covers at least the upper sacrum and the fifth lumber vertebra of the patient.

38. The method claimed in claim 37, wherein the lower end of the first electrode forms a wedge shape which points into the patient'"'"'s gluteal cleft.

39. The method claimed in claim 34, wherein the first electrode comprises two individually energisable segments disposed substantially symmetrically relative to the patient'"'"'s spine.

40. The method claimed in claim 39, wherein at least some of the pulses in the second group comprise currents of different intensity and/or duration passed through the two segments.

41. The method claimed in claim 39, wherein at least some of the pulses in the second group comprise a current passed through only one of the two segments.

42. The method claimed in claim 34, wherein each of the second and third electrodes is located between the patient'"'"'s iliac crest and ribs.

43. The method claimed in claim 34, wherein at least one of the second and third electrodes comprises a plurality of individually energisable segments.

44. The method claimed in claim 43, wherein at least some of the pulses in the first group comprise currents of different intensity and/or duration passed through more than one segment of the second and/or third electrode.

45. The method claimed in claim 43, wherein at least some of the pulses in the first group comprise a current passed through only one segment of the second and/or third electrode.

46. The method claimed in claim 34, wherein each of the first and second groups of pulses is applied cyclically, with periods of pulse application alternating with periods when no pulses are applied.

47. The method claimed in claim 34, wherein the electrodes are incorporated in a garment which locates the electrodes at desired positions against the patient'"'"'s skin.