FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION (FES) METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IMPROVE WALKING AND OTHER LOCOMOTION FUNCTIONS
First Claim
1. A method of determining phase charge for electrical stimulation of muscles, comprising:
- providing a constant current power source;
connecting electrodes from the power source to the muscles;
determining a maximum current to be supplied depending on the muscles to be stimulated;
incrementally increasing the duration of providing the current to the muscles until contraction of the muscles is achieved.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system which provides wireless, noninvasive electrical stimulation to different muscle groups to allow the user to conduct physical activities, such as walking, by stimulating various muscle groups in the body at the correct times of activation or by stimulating muscle groups in a simulation mode when standing, sitting or lying down, whereby walking is not required to stimulate the various muscle groups. The system provides a small portable wearable system which utilizes available software, including Bluetooth technology, to provide electrical nerve stimulating pulses with low current, minimal phase charge which is controlled remotely and induce desired muscle contraction with increased comfort for the user. The present method and system applies electrical stimulation with accurate timing, based on a three-dimensional motion sensor, as a trigger to initiate stimulation and which is adapted to turn itself on and off when not walking.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of determining phase charge for electrical stimulation of muscles, comprising:
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providing a constant current power source; connecting electrodes from the power source to the muscles; determining a maximum current to be supplied depending on the muscles to be stimulated; incrementally increasing the duration of providing the current to the muscles until contraction of the muscles is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A non-invasive, wearable electrical stimulator, comprising
a controller; -
a motion sensor in communication with the controller; a power source, a waveform generator receiving power from the power source and controlled by the controller; and at least one pair of electrodes for applying electrical stimulation to at least one muscle, the at least one pair of electrodes electrically connected to the waveform generator for supplying electrical stimulus to peripheral nerves and muscles. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A functional electrical stimulation system, comprising:
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a stimulator module having a stimulation waveform generator to output an electrical signal in a stimulation pattern; electrodes attached to the stimulation waveform generator to apply the electrical signal to a user; a remote control unit configured to allow adjustment of the intensity of the electrical signal and to activate the stimulation waveform generator; and an executive control unit having two way communication with the stimulator module, the executive control unit able to alter the stimulation pattern of the electrical signal and a duration of the stimulation pattern, and to collect data from the stimulation module. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. A wireless electrical stimulator for the stimulation of muscle groups of user, comprising:
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a stimulator module position to electrically stimulate selected muscle groups utilizing motion of this user or a sequence of programs stimulation, said stimulator module comprising; a motion sensor operatively associated with the stimulator module to respond to movement or other physical activity by the user which initiates the stimulation sequence, enabling the transmission of electrical stimulation pulses from the stimulation module to the muscle groups; and a waveform generator operatively associated with the stimulator module for providing a constant current waveform electrical transmission to the muscle groups; and a controller module operatively communicating with the stimulator module for initiating the transmission of the simulation sequence to the muscle groups.
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Specification