Method and apparatus for electromedical therapy

• US 6,546,290 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roamitron Holding S.A.
• Original Assignee: Roamitron Holding S.A.
• Inventors: Shloznikov, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko, George R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRADFORD, RODERICK D
• Application Number:
  US09/548,375
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 607/76, 607/72, 607/74, 607/115, 607/148, 607/152, 607/46, 607/48, 607/140
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

An apparatus for providing therapeutic electrical signals has a plurality of sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes comprising at least two electrodes for applying the therapeutic electrical signal to a user. A switch selectively switches the therapeutic electrical signal to each of the electrodes in a predetermined pattern. The electrodes are arranged on a flexible platform which can substantially conform to surfaces of the user. The therapeutic electrical signal can be applied to the sets of electrodes in any predetermined pattern, including a predetermined pattern that sequentially sends the therapeutic electrical signal in a first direction to each set of electrodes. Preferably, the sets of electrodes comprise at least three electrodes arranged in a substantially chevron pattern with a center electrode having the opposite potential to the side electrode. The therapeutic electrical signal is generated by a signal generator. The signal generator generates different types of therapeutic electrical signals by applying a base wave with a frequency of about 150 KHz to 180 KHz at different frequencies between about 2 to 100 times in a second. The switch selectively switches the different types of therapeutic electrical signals in the predetermined pattern. The signal generator can decrease the therapeutic electrical signals from its maximum to its minimum within about 0.1 to 0.01 microseconds. The therapeutic electrical signal is switched to a next set of electrodes within about 0.5 to 2 seconds. The apparatus and method can be used in a variety of treatments, including relief of pain, relief of stress, electronic acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing therapeutic electrical signals, said apparatus comprising:

a signal generator for generating the therapeutic electrical signal comprising a base wave having a frequency between 150 KHz to 180 KHz, said base wave being applied at a frequency of between about 2 to 100 times in a second;

a plurality of sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes comprising at least two electrodes for applying the therapeutic electrical signal to a user; and

a switching unit for selectively switching the therapeutic electrical signal from one set of electrodes of the plurality to another set of electrodes of the plurality in a predetermined pattern at intervals of between 0.5 to 2 seconds;

wherein the base wave of the therapeutic electric signal decreases from a maximum voltage to a minimum voltage within about 0.2 to 0.01 microseconds.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a platform upon which the plurality of sets of electrodes is arranged; and

wherein the platform permits the electrodes to substantially conform to a surface of the user, such that each of the electrodes of the plurality of sets of electrodes is adapted to be in electrical contact with the surface of the user.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the predetermined pattern comprises the switching unit switching the therapeutic electrical signal consecutively to each set of electrodes commencing with a first set of electrodes near a first end of the apparatus and ending at a last set of electrodes near a second end of the apparatus;

and

wherein the switching unit selectively switches the therapeutic electrical signal to each set of electrodes in intervals of between 0.5 to 2 seconds.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the predetermined pattern comprises the switching unit sequentially switching the therapeutic electrical signal in a first direction consecutively to each set of electrodes.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the predetermined pattern comprises the switching unit switching the electrical therapeutic signal consecutively in a first direction from a first end of the apparatus to a second end of the apparatus and then consecutively in a second direction from the second end to the first end.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the sets of electrodes in the first direction correspond to the sets of electrodes in the second direction.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each set of electrodes comprise at least three electrodes arranged in a substantially chevron pattern with at least a centre electrode and at least two side electrodes;

and

wherein the centre electrode has a potential opposite to the side electrodes when the therapeutic electrical signal is applied.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the signal generator generates a first type of therapeutic electrical signal comprising the base wave applied at a first frequency between 2 to 100 times in a second and a second type of therapeutic electrical signal comprising the base wave applied at a second frequency of about 2 to 100 times in a second wherein the first frequency differs from the second frequency;

wherein the switching unit selectively switches the first type and the second type of therapeutic electrical signal to each set of electrodes in the predetermined pattern.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8

wherein an integral against time of the base wave of the therapeutic electric signals over a period of the base wave is substantially zero.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the maximum voltage of the base wave is about positive 50V and the minimum voltage of the base wave is about negative 17V, wherein over the period of the base wave the minimum voltage will be applied about three times as long as the maximum voltage such that the integral against time of the base wave over the period is substantially zero.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the signal generator generates a first type of therapeutic electrical signal comprising the base wave applied at a frequency of about 77 Hz such that the base wave is applied for a burst of about 3 milliseconds followed by a quiet period where the base wave is not applied for about 10 milliseconds.

12. A method for providing therapeutic electrical signals, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a therapeutic electrical signal comprising a base wave having a frequency between 150 KHz to 180 KHz, said base wave being applied at a frequency of between about 2 to 100 times in a second;

b) providing a plurality of sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes comprising at least two electrodes for applying the therapeutic electrical signal to a user; and

c) selectively switching the therapeutic electrical signal to each set of electrodes of the plurality of sets of electrodes in a predetermined pattern in intervals of between 0.5 and 2 seconds;

wherein the base wave of the therapeutic electrical signal decreases from a maximum voltage to a minimum voltage within about 0.2 to 0.01 microseconds.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the step of:

b1) providing the plurality of sets of electrodes on a platform that permits electrodes to substantially conform to a surface of the user so that substantially all of the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes is in electrical contact with the surface of the user.

14. The method as defined in claim 13 further comprising the step of:

c1) selectively switching the therapeutic electrical signal to each set of electrodes consecutively commencing with a first set of said plurality of sets of electrodes near a first end of the platform and ending at a last set of said plurality of sets of electrodes at a second end of the platform.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein an integral against time of the base wave of the therapeutic electric signal over a period of the base wave is substantially zero.

16. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the step of:

b3) providing each set of electrodes with at least three electrodes arranged in a substantially chevron pattern having a center electrode and at least two side electrodes.

17. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the base wave of the therapeutic electrical signal decreases from a maximum voltage to a minimum voltage within about 0.1 to 0.01 microseconds.

18. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

a1) generating a first type of therapeutic electrical signal by applying the base wave at a first frequency between 2 to 100 times in a second;

a2) generating a second type of therapeutic electrical signal by applying the base wave at a second frequency between 2 to 100 times in a second, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency; and

c1) selectively switching the first type and the second type of therapeutic electrical signals to each set of electrodes in the predetermined pattern.

19. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising:

c1) selectively switching the therapeutic electrical signal to each set of electrodes in the predetermined pattern by switching the therapeutic electrical signal consecutively in a first direction from a first end of the apparatus to a second end of the apparatus and then consecutively in a second direction from the second end to the first end.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 further comprising:

a1) generating a first type of therapeutic electrical signal by applying the base wave applied at a first frequency between 2 to 100 times in a second;

a2) generating a second type of therapeutic electrical signal by applying the base wave at a second frequency between 2 to 100 times in a second, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency; and

c2) selectively switching the first type and the second type of therapeutic electrical signal to each set of electrodes in the predetermined pattern by switching the first type of the therapeutic electrical signal consecutively in the first direction and then consecutively in the second direction, and, then switching the second type of therapeutic electrical signal consecutively in the first direction and then consecutively in the second direction.

21. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising the step of generating a first type of therapeutic electrical signal by applying the base wave at a frequency of 77 Hz such that the base wave is applied for a burst of about 3 milliseconds followed by a quiet period where the base wave is not applied for about 10 milliseconds.

22. An apparatus for providing therapeutic electrical signals, said apparatus comprising:

signal generation means for generating the therapeutic electrical signal comprising a base wave having a frequency between 150 KHz to 180 KHz, said base wave being applied at a frequency of between about 2 to 100 times in a second;

a plurality of sets of electrodes, each set of electrodes comprising at least two electrodes for applying the therapeutic electrical signal to a user;

switching means for selectively switching the therapeutic electrical signal from one set of electrodes of the plurality to another set of electrodes of the plurality in a predetermined pattern at intervals of between 0.5 to 2 seconds;

wherein the signal generating means generates the base wave of the therapeutic electrical signal such that the base wave has a positive voltage portion having a maximum voltage, and, a negative voltage portion having a minimum voltage, the change from the positive voltage portion to the negative voltage portion occurs within about 0.1 to 0.01 microseconds.