Electrotherapy system

• US 4,014,323 A
• Filed: 06/30/1975
• Issued: 03/29/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harry Alvin Bowers, James Ray Gilmer, Robert Earl Day
• Original Assignee: Harry Alvin Bowers, James Ray Gilmer, Robert Earl Day
• Inventors: Gilmer, James Ray, Bowers, Harry Alvin, Day, Robert Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/591,402
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.1 R, 128/2.1 C, 128/2.1 Z, 128/303.18, 128/404, 128/409, 128/416-418, 128/419 R, 128/420, 128/421, 128/422
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal

Abstract

A system utilizing a low power level of pulsed alternating current for assisting a patient in producing an improved physiological or psychological condition within his body, wherein one improvement in one embodiment lies in a compact portable pulse train generating unit of "pocket-size," and another improvement of another embodiment lies in the combination of an electrotherapy treating unit with a bio-feedback detecting and displaying unit, wherein the patient may visually observe his improving condition during treatment.

Claims

1. An electrotherapy system comprising:

pulse train generating means for providing a series of bursts of low level electrical energy, including output terminal means;

patient-engaging means, including input terminal means connectable in electrical circuit with said output terminal means and further including electrodes in circuit with said input terminal means for transmitting said bursts of electrical energy to a patient needing therapeutic treatment;

control means for manually adjusting the relative level of electrical energy produced by said pulse train generating means; and

passive, measuring means for indicating the patient'"'"'s emotional stress state and changes therein, simultaneously with treatment using said bursts of energy, including galvanic skin electrical resistance sensing means.

2. An electrotherapy system according to claim 1 wherein said measuring means includes meter means for providing a visual indication of said stress state.

3. An electrotherapy system according to claim 1 wherein said measuring means includes sound-producing means for providing an audio indication of said stress state.