Systems and methods for performing prosthetic or therapeutic neuromuscular stimulation using a universal external controller accommodating different control inputs and/or different control outputs

• US 6,701,189 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neurocontrol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Neurocontrol Corporation
• Inventors: Demchak, Jeffrey A, Tyler, Dustin J, Ignagni, Anthony R, Thrope, Geoffrey B, Fang, Zi-Ping, Pourmehdi, Soheyl, Mrva, Joe, Walker, Maria E, Szpak, Anthony, Strother, Robert B Jr., Winter, Trisha L
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/822,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20020188331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 607/39, 607/40, 607/41, 607/48, 607/49
• 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 1/08 Arrangements or circuits for monitoring, protecting, controlling or indicating for external stimulators A61N1/3603; for implantable neurostimulators A61N1/36128; for heart stimulators A61N1/37; for defibrillators A61N1/3925
• 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 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

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 to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising

a housing,

a microprocessor carried by the housing including a processing element operative to generate signal patterns to control neuromuscular stimulation functions,

a first input device carried by the housing to receive a control signal from a first signal source to effect a motor control neuromuscular stimulation function,

a second input device carried by the housing to receive a control signal from a second signal source different than the first signal source to effect a non-motor control neuromuscular stimulation function,

a first output device carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to convey a signal pattern to a first neuromuscular stimulation assembly in response to a control signal received from the first input device, and

a second output device carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to convey a signal pattern to a second neuromuscular stimulation assembly different than the first neuromuscular stimulation assembly in response to a control signal received from the second input device.

2. A controller according to claim 1

further including a keypad carried by the housing, and

wherein one of the first and second input devices comprises the keypad.

3. A controller according to claim 2

wherein the other one of the first and second input devices receives the control signal from an element external to the housing.

4. A controller according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second input devices receives the control signal by wireless transmission.

5. A controller according to claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second input devices receives the control signal by a cable connection.

6. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the processing element operates in a first state to generate the signal pattern in response to a control signal received from first input device and in a second state to generate the signal pattern in response to a control signal received from second input device.

7. A controller according to claim 6

wherein one of the first and second states comprises a default condition for the microprocessor.

8. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the microprocessor enables concurrent selection of conveying a signal pattern to both first and second neuromuscular stimulation assemblies.

9. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the microprocessor enables selection of conveying a signal pattern to either the first or second neuromuscular stimulation assemblies.

10. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation using a controller as defined in claim 1.

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

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

15. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1, and operating the controller to affect at least two neuromuscular stimulation functions.

12. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of

a. providing a controller comprising

i. a housing,

ii. a microprocessor carried by the housing including a processing element operative to generate signal patterns to control neuromuscular stimulation functions,

iii. a first input device carried by the housing to receive a control signal from a first signal source,

iv. a second input device carried by the housing to receive a control signal from a second signal source different than the first signal source,

v. a first output device carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to convey a signal pattern to a first neuromuscular stimulation assembly in response to a control signal received from the first input device, and

vi. a second output device carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to convey a signal pattern to a second neuromuscular stimulation assembly different than the first neuromuscular stimulation assembly in response to a control signal received from the second input device, and

b. operating the controller to affect a bladder or bowel control function.

13. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of

a. providing a controller comprising

i. a housing,

ii. a microprocessor carried by the housing including a processing element operative to generate signal patterns to control neuromuscular stimulation functions,

iii. a first input device carried by the housing to receive a control signal from a first signal source,

iv. a second input device carried by the housing to receive a control signal from a second signal source different than the first signal source,

v. a first output device carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to convey a signal pattern to a first neuromuscular stimulation assembly in response to a control signal received from the first input device, and

vi. a second output device carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to convey a signal pattern to a second neuromuscular stimulation assembly different than the first neuromuscular stimulation assembly in response to a control signal received from the second input device, and

b. operating the controller to affect an erection control function.