Skin stimulation device

• US 5,279,284 A
• Filed: 10/11/1991
• Issued: 01/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frontier Corporation (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Frontier Corporation (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fenn, Gordon W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANLON, BRIAN EMMETT
• Application Number:
  US07/775,729
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 128/44, 128/51-55, 606/201, 606/204, 200/DIG. 2
• US Class Current: 601/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/0209 powered with frequencies not related to mains frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0218 with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement

Abstract

A device for stimulating the skin of an individual by an applicator which has a head containing solenoid-operated plungers. The solenoids'"'"' windings are duty-cycle operated by associated oscillator/driver circuits to cause their plungers to repeatedly impact the skin with relatively small force impulses so that the skin as distinguished from muscles is affected. By repeated minute stimulation of the skin in the vicinity of pain, a hypnotic type of effect that can alleviate pain symptoms has been found to occur. The solenoids are operated in particular modes which are other than one in which all solenoids are simultaneously energized and de-energized in unison.

Claims

1. A device for stimulating a zone of human skin comprising an applicator having a head for confronting the skin, plural solenoids disposed on said applicator in an array in the vicinity of said head, each of said solenoids having a plunger that comprises a tip end which projects away from said head for imparting stimulus to the skin by repetitively impacting the skin in response to the repetitive energization and de-energization of the plunger'"'"'s solenoid, said device comprising an electric circuit board assembly containing electric circuitry thereon for repetitively energizing and de-energizing each of said solenoids, means for supplying electric power to said electric circuitry, and said electric circuitry comprising plural solenoid drivers each of which is individual to an individual associated one of said solenoids for selectively energizing and de-energizing the associated solenoid independently of the energization and de-energization of the other solenoids by their solenoid drivers, and means for operating said solenoid drivers in at least one mode of operation which is other than one in which all solenoids are simultaneously energized and de-energized in unison, and further containing D.C. battery means providing a self-contained electric power supply for operating said solenoids via said electric circuitry, said applicator comprising a hand-held housing containing said head, said solenoids, said electric circuit board assembly, and said D.C. battery means, and in which said head and housing are both electrical conductors that are electrically separated by an insulator, and said device contains touch switch means that is connected respectively to said housing and to said head and that is actuated by a conductive path through a user'"'"'s body when the user grasps the housing and places a portion of the head in contact with the skin, and in which said touch switch means is operatively connected with said electric circuitry such that when said touch switch means is so actuated, said solenoid drivers are operated by said electric circuitry.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said head and said housing are arranged such that said head faces laterally of a lengthwise axis of said housing.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said plungers each comprises a cylinder having a diameter within the range of 0.030 inch to 0.200 inch and a stroke within the range of 0.020 inch to 0.100 inch, and in which said solenoid drivers cause said plungers to reciprocate at a frequency within the range of 2 hertz to 1,000 hertz.

4. A device for stimulating a zone of human skin comprising an applicator having a head for confronting the skin, plural solenoids disposed on said applicator in an array in the vicinity of said head, each of said solenoids having a plunger that comprises a tip end which projects away from said head for imparting stimulus to the skin by repetitively impacting the skin in response to the repetitive energization and de-energization of the plunger'"'"'s solenoid, said device comprising an electric circuit board assembly containing electric circuitry thereon for repetitively energizing and de-energizing each of said solenoids, means for supplying electric power to said electric circuitry, and said electric circuitry comprising plural solenoid drivers each of which is individual to an individual associated group of at least one of said solenoids for selectively energizing and de-energizing the associated group independently of the energization and de-energization of the other groups by their solenoid drivers, and means for operating said solenoid drivers in at least one mode of operation which is other than one in which all solenoids are simultaneously energized and de-energized in unison, said device containing D.C. battery means providing a self-contained electric power supply for operating said solenoids via said electric circuitry, said applicator comprising a hand-held housing containing said head, said solenoids, said electric circuit board assembly, and said D.C. battery means, in which said head and housing are both electrical conductors that are electrically separated by an insulator, and said device contains touch switch means that is connected respectively to said housing and to said head and that is actuated by a conductive path through a user'"'"'s body when the user grasps the housing and places a portion of the head in contact with the skin, and in which said touch switch means is operatively connected with said electric circuitry such that when said touch switch means is so actuated, said solenoid drivers are operated by said electric circuitry.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said head and said housing are arranged such that said head faces laterally of a lengthwise axis of said housing.

6. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said plungers each comprises a cylinder having a diameter within the range of 0.030 inch to 0.200 inch and a stroke within the range of 0.020 inch to 0.100 inch, and in which said solenoid drivers cause said plungers to reciprocate at a frequency within the range of 2 hertz to 1,000 hertz.