WIRELESS ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEM

• US 20160008597A1
• Filed: 07/10/2015
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hi-Dow IPHC Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hi-Dow IPHC Incorporated
• Inventors: Chen, Eric Ye
• Granted Patent: US 11,351,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0488 Details about the lead
• 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 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

A system and method are provided for a wireless electrical stimulation. The system generally includes at least two electrical stimulation units. Each electrical stimulation unit includes electrodes connected to the unit. The system also includes a transmitter for remotely, wirelessly controlling each of the electrical stimulation units to selectively apply a time-varying electric potential to the electrodes to provide an electrical stimulation to tissue in electrical contact with the electrodes.

Claims

1. An electrical stimulation system for providing electrical stimulation to a subject'"'"'s body, the system comprising:

a wireless controller;

an electrical stimulation unit generating electrical stimulation signals, responsive to the wireless controller;

at least two electrodes adapted to be disposed in electrical contact with the subject'"'"'s body spaced apart from the electrical stimulation unit and from each other; and

a cable electrically connecting the electrical stimulation unit to the at least two electrodes to apply electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation unit to the electrodes positioned remotely from the electrical stimulation unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate adapted to be applied to a body surface, wherein the at least two electrodes are carried on the substrate.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is an article of clothing to be worn by the subject.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the article of clothing is a sock.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable is a Y-cable comprising a stem and two branches, with a plug disposed on the end of the stem, and a connector disposed on each of the branches, the plug being configured to couple with a socket on the electrical stimulation unit and each of the connectors being configured for attaching to, and electrically connecting to an electrode.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the connectors are configured for permanently attaching to the electrodes.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the each of the connectors include a metal fastener configured for removably attaching with corresponding structures configured on the at least two electrodes.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable is an X-cable comprising first and second input branches, and first and second output branches, connectors on each of the input branches adapted to be connected to the electrical stimulation unit, and connectors on each of the output branches adapted to connected to an electrode.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the connectors on the input branches of the X-cable are configured for permanently attaching with the electrical stimulation unit.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the connectors on the input branches of the X-cable comprise metal fasteners configured for removably coupling with corresponding structures of the electrical stimulation unit.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the connectors on the output branches of the X-cable are configured for permanently attaching with an electrode.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the connectors on the output branches of the X-cable comprise metal fasteners configured for removably coupling with corresponding structures on the electrodes.

13. A method for controlling a plurality of electrodes disposed in electrical contact with a subject'"'"'s body, the method comprising:

remotely, wirelessly transmitting operation instructions to an electrical stimulation unit from a remote controller;

providing electrical stimulation signals via the electrical stimulation unit in response to the operating instructions;

transmitting the electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation unit to the plurality of electrodes positioned remotely from the electrical stimulation unit that is electrically connected with the electrodes using a cable; and

applying the electrical stimulation signals on the subject'"'"'s body in electrical contact with the plurality of electrodes.

14. The method for controlling a plurality of electrodes on a subject'"'"'s body according to claim 13, wherein the electrical stimulation unit is electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes using a Y-cable or an X-cable.

15. The method for controlling a plurality of electrodes on a subject'"'"'s body according to claim 13, wherein the electrical stimulation unit is electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes using an X-cable.

16. The method for controlling a plurality of electrodes on a subject'"'"'s body according to claim 13, wherein the operation instructions are wirelessly transmitted to at least two electrical stimulation units from the remote controller on separate channels at different frequencies.

17. A wireless electrical stimulation system comprising:

at least two electrical stimulation units, each electrical stimulation unit having electrodes connected to the electrical stimulation unit; and

a wireless controller for remotely, wirelessly controlling each of the electrical stimulation units by transmitting operating instructions to each of the electrical stimulation units on separate channels at different frequencies using a single remote control before sending instructions to selectively apply a time-varying electric potential to the electrodes to provide an electrical stimulation to tissue in electrical contact with the electrodes.

18. The wireless electrical stimulation system according to claim 17 further comprising a cable electrically connecting the electrical stimulation unit to the electrodes to apply electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation unit to the electrodes positioned remotely from the electrical stimulation unit.

19. The wireless electrical stimulation system according to claim 18, wherein the cable is a Y-cable comprising a stem and two branches, with a plug disposed on the end of the stem, and a connector disposed on each of the branches, the plug being configured to couple with a socket on the electrical stimulation unit and each of the connectors being configured for attaching to, and electrically connecting to an electrode.

20. The wireless electrical stimulation system according to claim 18, wherein the cable is an X-cable comprising first and second input branches, and first and second output branches, connectors on each of the input branches adapted to be connected to the electrical stimulation unit, and connectors on each of the output branches adapted to connected to an electrode.