Systems and methods for immobilization
First Claim
1. A method, performed by an apparatus, the apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target, the method comprising:
- providing a first pulse of the current, the first pulse having a first voltage;
monitoring the provision of the first pulse; and
providing a second pulse of the current, the second pulse having a second voltage, the second voltage responsive to a result of monitoring and sufficient to ionize air in a gap in series with the target.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes provide the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage, a hold stage, and a rest stage. Systems include a launch device and separate projectile, where the projectile includes a battery, a waveform generator, and electrodes. The strike stage and hold stage may include pulses at a pulse repetition rate, for example, from 10 to 20 pulses per second, each pulse delivering a predetermined amount of charge, for example, about 100 microcoulombs at less than about 500 volts peak. The hold stage may continue immobilization at a lesser expenditure of energy compared to the strike stage. Because the strike stage and hold stage may immobilize by interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target'"'"'s nervous system, a rest stage may allow the target to take a breath.
60 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method, performed by an apparatus, the apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target, the method comprising:
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providing a first pulse of the current, the first pulse having a first voltage; monitoring the provision of the first pulse; and providing a second pulse of the current, the second pulse having a second voltage, the second voltage responsive to a result of monitoring and sufficient to ionize air in a gap in series with the target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
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8. A method, performed by an apparatus, the apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target, the method comprising:
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using a first voltage to test whether a path exists, the path having an impedance less than a threshold, the path to provide the current; if the path exists, providing the current, the current having a second voltage not greater than the first voltage; and otherwise, using a third voltage to provide at least a portion of the current, wherein the third voltage is sufficient to form the path.
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12. An apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:
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a circuit that provides the current, the current comprising a path testing stage and a first stage, wherein during the first stage the target'"'"'s voluntary locomotion is halted as a consequence of contractions of the skeletal muscles of the target responsive to the current; and a processor that controls the circuit, wherein at least a portion of the path testing stage is concurrent with at least a portion of the first stage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method, performed by an apparatus, the apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target, the method comprising:
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providing a first pulse of the current, the first pulse having a first voltage; monitoring the provision of the first pulse; and providing a second pulse of the current, the second pulse having a second voltage, the second voltage responsive to a result of monitoring and greater than the first voltage. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification