Systems and methods for performing prosthetic or therapeutic neuromuscular stimulation using a universal external controller providing different selectable neuromuscular stimulation functions

• US 6,625,494 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neurocontrol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Neurocontrol Corporation
• Inventors: Thrope, Geoffrey B, Ignagni, Anthony, Tyler, Dustin, Fang, Zi-Ping, Pourmehdi, Soheyl, Mrva, Joe, Walker, Maria E, Szpak, Anthony, Strother, Robert B Jr., Winter, Trisha L, Demchak, Jeffrey A
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/822,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 607/48, 607/49, 607/39, 607/40, 607/71
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulating genital organs A61N1/36007
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data

Abstract

The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Claims

1. A controller adapted to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising:

a housing,

an output device carried by the housing that can be coupled to an electrode,

a microprocessor carried by the housing coupled to the output device including a processing element operative in a first mode to generate a signal pattern to an electrode implanted in tissue to control a first neuromuscular stimulation function, the processing element also being operative in a second mode to generate a signal pattern to an electrode implanted in tissue to control a second neuromuscular stimulation function that is different than the first neuromuscular stimulation function, and

an input device carried by the housing coupled to the microprocessor providing a menu with an array of available neuromuscular stimulation functions and prompting a user to select at least one of the functions.

2. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the input device includes a display element on the housing, and

wherein the microprocessor is further operative to generate a display on the display element prompting selection of the first or second modes.

3. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the microprocessor enables concurrent selection of the first and second modes.

4. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the microprocessor enables selection of either the first or second modes.

5. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the housing is sized and configured to fit within a hand of the individual.

6. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the housing is sized and configured to be carried by the individual.

7. A controller according to claim 1

further including a battery carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to power the processing element.

8. A controller according to claim 7

wherein the battery is rechargeable.

9. A controller according to claim 8

wherein the battery is removable from the housing for recharging.

10. A controller according to claim 9

wherein the battery is rechargeable only when removed from the housing.

11. A controller according to claim 1

wherein one of the first and second modes affects a motor function.

12. A controller according to claim 1

wherein one of the first and second modes affects a bladder or bowel or erection control function.

13. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the microprocessor is programmable to affect operation in at least one of the first and second modes.

14. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation using a controller as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 5 or 6 or 7.

15. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 5 or 6 or 7, and operating the controller to affect at least one motor function.

16. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 5 or 6 or 7, and operating the controller to affect a bladder or bowel control function.

17. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 5 or 6 or 7, and operating the controller to affect an erection control function.

18. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 5 or 6 or 7, and operating the controller to concurrently affect at least one motor function and at least one other neuromuscular stimulation function.

19. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 2 or 5 or 6 or 7, and operating the controller to affect at least two neuromuscular stimulation functions.