Transcranial electrostimulation apparatus having two electrode pairs and independent current generators

• US 5,540,736 A
• Filed: 12/21/1994
• Issued: 07/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Felix-Azriel Kochubievsky
• Original Assignee: Felix-Azriel Kochubievsky
• Inventors: Haimovich, Yechiel, Pyatigorsky, Serge, Kochubievsky, Felix-Azriel
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US08/360,545
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45-47
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

Transcranial electrostimulation apparatus including two current generators for providing electrical currents, two electrode pairs for detachable attachment to the scalp of a patient of which each is driven by an electrode pair dedicated current generator and control apparatus for independently controlling each current generator such that each electrode pair administers an independently regulated electrical current.

Claims

1. Transcranial electrostimulation apparatus for the electrostimulation of a specific portion of a user'"'"'s brain, comprising:

(a) at least two current generators for providing electrical currents, said electrical currents including pulses;

(b) at least two electrode pairs for detachable attachment to the scalp of a patient, each of said at least two electrode pairs being independently driven by one of said current generator; and

(c) control means for coordinately controlling each of said at least two current generators such that each of said at least two electrode pairs administers a total regulated electrical current so as to target a specific portion of the user'"'"'s brain.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said control means regulates the current amplitude of said pulses.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said control means regulates the duration of said pulses.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said control means regulates the frequency of said pulses.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said pulses are superimposed on a smooth current.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said pulses are substantially square shaped.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said electrical current is a zero net charge current in which the product of a negative smooth current amplitude by the time duration between consecutive pulses equals the product of a positive pulse current amplitude by the pulse time duration.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said electrical current is a time-variant electrical stimulatory current which tends to sweep across the homeostatic endorphinergic mid-brain structure of a patient.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein each of said at least two current generators includes a bilateral current source.

10. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:

(d) a rechargeable battery for driving said at least two current generators; and

(e) a port connected to said battery for receiving either a connector connected to an external power supply so as to charge said rechargeable battery or a connector for connecting said at least two electrode pairs to said at least two current generators.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said port includes at least three pins wherein two of said at least three pins are employed for connecting said rechargeable battery to said external power supply.

12. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said port includes at least three pins wherein two of said at least three pins are employed for connecting said at least two current generators to said at least two electrode pairs.