Hydrogel and scrim assembly for use with electro-acupuncture device with stimulation electrodes

• US 7,171,276 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ReliefBand Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Grey, Thomas L., Gruzdowich, Gregory J., Giuntoli, David M., Wang, Benjamin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes; Angela D.
• Application Number:
  US09/896,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,041 Days
• Field of Search: 607152- 3, 607148- 9, 607/153, 607/149, 600391-392
• US Class Current: 607/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/06 Arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0496 characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02

Abstract

A hydrogel and scrim assembly adapted for use with an electro-acupuncture device to enhance electrical conduction between the device and the skin and to provide an impedance matching layer between the device and the skin. The assembly includes a scrim with conductive hydrogel masses disposed on the surface of the scrim. The hydrogel masses are sized and dimensioned so that when the pad is adapted to the device, the hydrogel masses do not bridge the electrodes to cause a short between the electrodes.

Claims

1. An assembly for use with an electro-acupuncture device having at least two electrodes, said electrodes adapted to provide electrical stimulation to a user'"'"'s skin when the device is secured to the skin, said electrodes defining an inter-electrode gap provided between the electrodes which separates the electrodes, said assembly comprising:

a scrim having a top surface and a bottom surface, said scrim provided with pores extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein said top surface contacts the electrodes when the assembly is releasably applied to the electro-acupuncture device, and said bottom surface contacts the skin when the electro-acupuncture device is secured to the skin; and

a plurality of masses of hydrogel disposed on the scrim and permeating into the pores of the scrim such that the masses of hydrogel are present on the top surface and the bottom surface of the scrim,

wherein the masses of hydrogel are sized and positioned on the scrim such that, for at least one orientation of the scrim relative to the electrodes, any masses positioned within the inter-electrode gap when the assembly is releasably applied to the electro-acupuncture device do not bridge the electrodes, the masses of hydrogel are elongated strips having widths less than the inter-electrode gap even when deformed under contact with the electrodes and the skin.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the masses of hydrogel are disposed on the top surface of the scrim, and said hydrogel permeates into the pores and being present at the bottom surface.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the masses of hydrogel are disposed on the bottom surface of the scrim, said hydrogel permeating into the pores and being present at the top surface.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the masses of hydrogel are disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the scrim, wherein for each mass of hydrogel disposed on the top surface there is a corresponding mass of hydrogel disposed on the opposite bottom surface.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein when the assembly is releasably applied to the device and the device is secured to the skin, the masses of hydrogel are capable of providing electrical conduction from the electrodes, through the masses of hydrogel, and to the skin.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein, when the assembly is releasably applied to the device and the device is secured to the skin, the masses of hydrogel are capable of providing an impedance matching layer between the electrodes and the skin.

7. An assembly for use with an electro-acupuncture device having at least two electrodes, said electrodes adapted to provide electrical stimulation to a user'"'"'s skin when the device is secured to the skin, said electrodes defining an inter-electrode gap provided between the electrodes which separates the electrodes, said assembly comprising:

a scrim having a top surface and a bottom surface, said scrim provided with pores extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein said top surface contacts the electrodes when the assembly is releasably applied to the electro-acupuncture device, and said bottom surface contacts the skin when the electro-acupuncture device is secured to the skin; and

a plurality of masses of hydrogel disposed on the scrim and permeating into the pores of the scrim such that the masses of hydrogel are present on the top surface and the bottom surface of the scrim

wherein the masses of hydrogel are sized and dimensioned as dots having diameters less than the inter-electrode gap on the scrim such that, for at least one orientation of the scrim relative to the electrodes, any masses positioned within the inter-electrode gap when the assembly is releasably applied to the electro-acupuncture device do not bridge the electrodes.