Continuous pulse, non-modulated non-burst mode nerve stimulator and method of applying same

• US 5,941,902 A
• Filed: 06/19/1996
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gradient Technologies (EWC HH&B Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Holcomb Healthcare Services LLC
• Inventors: Holcomb, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/665,831
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 607/3, 607/48
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/00 Magnetotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/008 for pain treatment or analgesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/22 Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention C02F1/042, C02F1/4602, C02F5/00 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for treating pain with a combination magnetic and electric therapies features a multi-polar, three dimensional magnetic flux field gradient with alternating polarity poles and a plural electrode system, arranged adjacent the magnetic poles, supplied with power to modulate C-fiber activity in the nerves adjacent the treatment area.

Claims

1. A medical electronic apparatus for treating human pain by the application of an electrical stimulus, the apparatus comprising:

a) an electrode complex further comprising four electrodes in contact with the body surface of a human to be treated;

b) each electrode further comprising a plurality of quadrapolar magnetic flux generators having four center charged magnetic poles in alternating polarity for generating a three-dimensional flux field gradient >

45°

<

90°

in the "Z" axis; and

c) power means for supplying power to activate the electrical stimulus to each electrode for the purpose of modulating C-fiber activity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrode complex further comprises four individual electrode pads at sufficient distance apart from a person to be treated to allow for the proper current density in the field of stimulation when electrical stimulus is applied thereto.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode complex further comprises a single contiguous unit which includes the adhesive means for holding the electrodes in contact with the animal body surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the each quadrapolar magnetic flux generator defines a means for suppressing C-fiber firing, thereby allowing a favorable ration of Aδ

/C-fiber firing and thereby more efficiently blocking peripheral generated pain.

5. A method for treating human pain comprising the following steps:

a) providing an electrical complex for securing multiple electrodes in contact with the body surface of the human to be treated;

b) supplying a power means for activating and generating an electrical stimulus through each of said magnetic flux generators; and

c) positioning said electrical complex on the body surface of the human to be treated, generating a three dimensional flux field gradient >

45°

<

90°

in the "Z" axis when the electrical stimulus is applied thereto for the purpose of modulating C-fiber activity and blocking peripheral generated pain.