Apparatus and methods for reducing pain and/or retraining muscles

• US 6,725,094 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lloyd R. Saberski
• Original Assignee: Lloyd R. Saberski
• Inventors: Saberski, Lloyd R.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/953,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/2, 607/39-41, 607/46, 607/48, 607/58, 607/62-64, 607/137, 607/138, 600/546, 600/591
• US Class Current: 607/46
• 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

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for reducing pain associated with contractions such as uterine or other muscle contractions and/or for retraining muscles are disclosed. The apparatus include a sensor for developing a signal indicative of a contraction experienced by a muscle. They also include a stimulator for applying stimulation to the patient. The apparatus also include a control unit for automatically adjusting the stimulation provided by the stimulator at least partially in response to the signal developed by the sensor.

Claims

1. A method for reducing labor pain experienced by a patient during contractions, using nerve stimulation, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a sensor on the patient in a location for developing a signal indicative of a uterine contraction;

coupling a stimulator to the patient in a location to apply electrical nerve stimulation reducing the labor pain;

employing the sensor to develop the signal indicative of the uterine contraction;

receiving a signal representative of the electrical stimulation applied by the stimulator;

receiving a manual input signal representative of an adjustment to a level of stimulation; and

adjusting the electrical nerve stimulation developed by the stimulator based upon the signal indicative of the uterine contraction, the signal representative of the electrical stimulation applied by the stimulator, and the manual input signal.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein adjusting the electrical stimulation developed by the stimulator comprises:

generating a sum signal based on the signal indicative of the uterine contraction and the manual input signal;

comparing the sum signal to the signal representative of the electrical stimulation applied by the stimulator; and

adjusting the electrical nerve stimulation developed by the stimulator based upon the comparison.