CUTANEOUS DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR A PULSE GENERATOR FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION

• US 20170136228A1
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission)
• Original Assignee: Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission)
• Inventors: Perraud, Simon, Salomon, Jrmie, Karst, Nicolas
• Granted Patent: US 11,116,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A substantially planar device intended to be secured to the skin of a user is disclosed. The device includes components and electrical connection means defining at least one rigid zone of the device. The electrical connection means have, in the plane of the device, a surface corresponding to at least one component and the means are disposed such as to cover the at least one component in order to protect the component mechanically.

Claims

1. A substantially planar device attachable to the skin of a user, comprising:

a plurality of components;

electrical connection means defining at least one rigid area of the device, the electrical connection means having, in a plane of the device, a surface corresponding to at least one component and being positioned to cover the at least one component for ensuring its mechanical protection.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means define at least two rigid areas electrically and mechanically connected through a flexible area, the flexible area bearing components.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means have, in the plane of the device, a surface area greater than that occupied by the components and are aligned with the components according to the thickness of at least one rigid area, so as to cover them.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means include at least one opening intended to cooperate with a protrusion of a plug connected to an electric conductor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means also fulfill a magnetic function.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising a stack of two layers with a first layer comprising the electric connection means and a second layer comprising the components, mounted on a flexible circuit.

7. The device of claim 6, comprising a third flexible layer, in contact with the second layer for ensuring its encapsulation.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means are made in a metal material that is a ferromagnetic metal.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means comprise two parts assembled on a support in a polymeric material, one fulfilling an electrical function and the other one a magnetic function.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein two electrical connection means located in two adjacent rigid areas and separated by a flexible area of width L, has a height H which satisfies an inequality L<

π

H and, preferably the inequality L<

2H.

11. The device of claim 1, comprising at least one complementary rigid element positioned on a face of the device opposite the electrical connection means and aligned, in at least one rigid area, with the components.

12. An assembly including the device claim 1 and at least one plug connected to an electric cable, wherein the plug includes electrical connection means which cooperate with the electrical connection means of the device.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the plug includes a part that fulfills a magnetic function.