High precision tens apparatus and method of use

• US 4,769,881 A
• Filed: 09/02/1986
• Issued: 09/13/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Irby R. Pedigo, Steven G. Belovich
• Original Assignee: Irby R. Pedigo, Steven G. Belovich
• Inventors: Belovich, Steven G., Pedigo, Irby R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US06/904,017
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 128/421, 128/422, 128/741, 128/419 R, 128/419 C, 128/420 A
• US Class Current: 607/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A transcutaneous electrical nerve-stimulation therapy apparatus and method having absolute protection for the patient from shock and automatic operation. The apparatus may operate in three modes, either controlled by timer, operating continuously or put in an automatic mode where the timer is automatically reset when the probe is removed from the patient and then recontacted. A circuit is provided for checking the continuity between the patient and the probes before each and every stimulation pulse. These pulses are generated at the same frequency and with a constant phase shift from the stimulation pulses. At the start of each set of stimulation pulses, the pulses are slowly ramped up over a 4-5 second interval so as to prevent any initial jolt to the patient. The device may also be used to locate appropriate application points on the patient'"'"'s body. The pulses applied are variable current pulses having a fixed voltage.

Claims

1. A method of applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to a patient, comprising the steps of:

contacting a pair of probes to the patient;

producing a continuity check clock signal and applying this signal to the probes to ascertain that the probes are in contact with the patient;

generating stimulation pulses having a constant peak voltages and a variable current and frequency in response to an indication that continuity between the patient and probes is present;

applying said stimulation pulses to the probes so as to stimulate the patient;

wherein the stimulation pulses and the continuity check pulses have the same frequency, but are out of phase with each other.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said stimulation pulses are applied with a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.

3. A method for applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to a patient comprising the steps of:

contacting a pair of probes to the patient;

selecting one of three modes of operation, where the first mode is controlled by a duration timer, the second mode is not controlled by the timer and the third mode is controlled by the timer but which can be automatically reset after the previous time interval has expired by removing the probe from the patient and then contacting the patient again;

generating stimulation pulses of a selected frequency;

applying said stimulation pulses through said probes to the patient;

controlling the application of the pulses according to the selected mode.

4. The method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of determining when continuity between the patient and probe is acquired.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said stimulation pulses have a constant peak voltage and a variable current and frequency.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein said stimulation pulses are applied with a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.

7. A method of applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to a patient, comprising the steps of:

contacting a pair of probes to the patient;

moving said probes around the patient'"'"'s body in order to locate points of locally high electrical capacitance;

generating stimulation pulses of a selected frequency;

applying said stimulation pulses to said points of locally high electrical capacitance.

8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of determining when continuity between the patient and probe is acquired.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said stimulation pulses have a constant peak voltage and a variable current and frequency.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein said stimulation pulses are applied with a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.

11. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a patient, comprising:

a pair of probes for contacting the body of the patient;

a waveform generator for producing stimulation pulses having a constant peak voltage and a variable current and frequency which is connected to the probes for applying the stimulation pulses to the patient;

a continuity check circuit connected to the probes for determining if continuity exists between the patient and the probe;

a control logic cirucit connected to said continuity check circuit and said waveform generator for preventing the generation of stimulation pulses in the waveform generator when continuity between the patient and probe is not present.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said stimulation pulses are applied with a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.

13. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a patient, comprising:

a pair of probes for contacting the body of the patient;

a waveform generator for producing stimulation pulses which is connected to the probes for applying the stimulation pulses to the patient;

a locate circuit connected to said probes for determining the local electrical capacitance of the patient'"'"'s body between the probes;

a display for indicating this capacitance;

whereby the operator of the apparatus may determine appropriate locally high electrical capacitance points on the patient'"'"'s body.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means for determining when continuity between the patient and probe is acquired.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said stimulation pulses have a contant peak voltage and a variable current and frequency.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said stimulation pulses have a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.

17. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a patient, comprising:

a pair of probes for contacting the body of the patient;

a waveform generator for producing stimulation pulses having a constant peak voltage and a variable current and frequency which is connected to the probes for applying the stimulation pulses to the patient;

a timer control circuit connected to said waveform generator for determining when a preset duration of time has expired and for preventing the application of the stimulation pulses to the probes after the time has expired.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising means for determining when continuity between the patient and probe is acquired.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said stimulation pulses have a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.

20. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to a patient, comprising:

a pair of probes for contacting the body of the patient;

a waveform generator for producing stimulation pulses which is connected to the probes for applying the stimulation pulses to the patient;

a mode select switch for selecting one of a plurality of operating modes;

a control logic circuit connecting to said mode select switch to the waveform generator for controlling the waveform generator according to the selected mode;

a timer circuit connected to said control logic circuit for measuring a preset duration of time;

wherein said control logic operates in a first mode to allow stimulation pulses to be applied from the waveform generator to the probes during the duration of time indicated by the timer;

wherein said control logic operates in a second mode to allow the stimulation pulses to be applied from the waveform generator to the probes continuously without reference to the duration; and

wherein said control logic operates in the third mode to allow the stimulation pulses to be applied from the waveform generator to the probes during the duration and by resetting said timer to begin a new duration when the preset duration has expired, when a probe has been removed from the patient and contacted to the patient again.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising means for determining when continuity between the patient and probe is acquired.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said stimulation pulses have a constant peak voltage and a variable current and frequency.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said stimulation pulses have a reduced intensity during the time that continuity is first determined.