Apparatus and method for delivering electrical stimulus to tissue
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying an electrical stimulus comprising:
- a housing;
a pair of electrodes extending from said housing, said pair of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode, each of said first electrode and said second electrode having an elongated body having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured with a smooth profile for contacting tissue, said second end including detent means for releasably engaging said elongated body to said housing;
a battery means in said housing for supplying electrical current to said electrodes; and
switch means on said housing for controlling said electrical current to said electrodes;
wherein said housing includes a closure and an undercut section adjacent to said electrodes and to said switch means, said undercut section receiving said closure to enclose said electrodes and said switch means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical stimulation apparatus and method for applying an electrical stimulation to a lesion. The apparatus includes a housing having a battery and an electrical circuit mounted inside the housing. A pair of electrodes are removably mounted to the housing and extend therefrom so as to accommodate being touched to the skin on opposite sides of the lesion. A switch on the housing allows the user to selectively supply electrical energy to the electrodes. A first light on the housing is illuminated when the switch is depressed thereby providing a visual indication that electrical energy is being supplied to the electrodes. A second light on the housing provides a visual indication of a low battery condition. A closure is mountable to the housing and encloses the electrodes, switch, and light within the closure. The size and shape of the housing and closure are specifically designed to allow the user to carry the electrical stimulation apparatus at all times and to encourage its frequent use at any time and under almost any circumstance.
175 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying an electrical stimulus comprising:
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a housing; a pair of electrodes extending from said housing, said pair of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode, each of said first electrode and said second electrode having an elongated body having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured with a smooth profile for contacting tissue, said second end including detent means for releasably engaging said elongated body to said housing; a battery means in said housing for supplying electrical current to said electrodes; and switch means on said housing for controlling said electrical current to said electrodes; wherein said housing includes a closure and an undercut section adjacent to said electrodes and to said switch means, said undercut section receiving said closure to enclose said electrodes and said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for the application of electrical stimulation to tissue comprising:
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a housing, said housing having a smooth external profile between a first end and a second end and an undercut section adjacent said first end of said housing; a switch recessed within said undercut section of said housing; a pair of electrodes extending from said first end of said housing, said electrodes each being formed with a cylindrical profile having a first end and a second end with a rounded tip on said first end and a sharpened tip on said second end, said sharpened tip including a recessed detent adjacent said sharpened tip, said housing including a spring clip for releasably engaging said detent; a closure for said housing, said closure being received in said undercut section thereby providing a continuation of said smooth external profile of said housing across said closure and enclosing said electrodes; a battery in said housing; and an electrical circuit in said housing electrically coupled between said battery and said electrodes, said switch means controlling electrical energy from said battery to said electrodes and through said electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for applying electrical stimulation comprising:
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selecting a housing capable of being held in a hand; mounting an electrical circuit in said housing, said electrical circuit being operable for supplying an electrical stimulation; coupling said electrical circuit to a battery thereby enabling said battery to provide electrical energy to said electrical circuit; attaching a pair of electrodes to said electrical circuit, said pair of electrodes extending from said housing and thereby providing for delivery of said electrical stimulation; controlling said electrical circuit with a switch; contacting a surface to undergo electrical stimulation with said pair of electrodes; and applying electrical stimulation to the surface by operating said swinish thereby activating said electrical circuit and applying said electrical stimulation with said pair of electrodes; wherein said selecting step includes shielding said electrodes against contamination by enclosing said pair of electrodes and said switch with a closure removably mounted to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification