ELECTRICAL CONTACT-CARRYING GARMENT FOR MUSCLE STIMULATION

• US 3,610,250 A
• Filed: 01/10/1967
• Issued: 10/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert I. Sarbacher
• Original Assignee: Robert I. Sarbacher
• Inventors: Sarbacher, Robert I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US04/608,317
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• Field of Search: 128/379,416,421,422,411,423,417,418,404,406,419 200/11C,51
• US Class Current: 607/149
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• 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 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

Electrical muscle stimulation is effected by means of a body garment having a plurality of body contact electrodes secured in it. The garment is wired to provide a single contact area for all the electrodes. The electrodes are selectively energized through a multiple contact switch associated with said contact area, so that the electrical muscle stimulating pulse output of a generator may be applied to a desired electrode pair through the switch.

Claims

1. In a system for applying muscle-stimulating electrical energy to the body of a recipient, a body garment adapted to be worn directly against the body of the recipient, said garment having a plurality of electrode pairs affixed to the inside surface thereof for engagement with the body of the recipient, a terminal block affixed to the garment having a terminal for each electrode, an electrical conductor coupled to each said electrode and running along the garment from the electrode to its respective terminal on said terminal block, whereby electrical coupling may be had to selected electrode pairs through said terminal block, means carried by said garment for picking up the energy of an electromagnetic and a selector switch for coupling said energy to selected terminals of said terminal block, said terminals being switch contacts for said selector switch.