Sports equipment with resonant muscle stimulator for developing muscle strength

• US 7,593,775 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Therapeutic Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Therapeutic Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Rowe, Bruce D, Campos, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US10/789,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,034 Days
• Field of Search: 607/146, 607/147, 607/150, 607/151, 607/1, 607/2, 607/3, 607/48, 607/50, 607/145, 607/115, 607/149, 607/77, 473/300, 600/372, 600/587
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

A method and apparatus include a therapeutic or developmental instrument that includes hardware and/or software for stimulating a muscle. Such an instrument may comprise, for instance, a golf club, a baseball bat, a lacrosse stick, a tennis racquet or a hockey stick, among other sports-related instruments. Still other suitable instruments may include a writing instrument, such as a pen. In the case of a golf club, a muscle of a user may be stimulated by the instrument as the golfer practices her swing. Combining such muscle stimulation with the act of practicing the movement of the swing has a synergistic effect of training the muscle as it builds strength. Similarly, a partial paralytic may regain strength in their hand by holding and writing with a pen configured to transcutaneously deliver a stimulating signal. Where desired, the instrument may include at least one electrode configured to deliver a stimulating signal to the holder of the instrument. In another or the same embodiment, wired electrodes may extend from the instrument or an adjacent signal generator to the holder of the instrument. This configuration may allow other, targeted muscles to be concurrently stimulated while the user manipulates the instrument.

Claims

1. A method of developing strength in a muscle used while a user grips and moves a moveable instrument, comprising applying a stimulating signal to a hand of the user gripping the moveable instrument that includes an electrode configured to apply the signal, wherein the signal is applied while the user moves the instrument and develops the muscle while the instrument is in motion, and wherein the moveable instrument is selected from a group consisting of:

a golf club, a tennis racquet, a racquetball racquet, a hockey stick and a lacrosse stick.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the signal further includes applying a signal comprising a resonant sequence that includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in a musculature that includes the muscle inwardly from the electrodes and towards the center of the musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising manufacturing the moveable instrument to include an electrode configured to deliver the signal from the stimulator.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising manufacturing a grip of the moveable instrument to include the electrode.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the delivery of the signal using an input from an input device selected from a group that consists of:

a button, a switch, a motion sensor, a voice sensor and a dial.

6. An apparatus for developing strength in a muscle, comprising:

a moveable instrument to be gripped and held by a user; and

a stimulator in communication with the moveable instrument comprising a golf club configured to produce a signal for transcutaneous delivery to the muscle via a hand of the user, wherein the signal is delivered as the user moves the moveable instrument to develop the muscle while the instrument is in motion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the golf club includes an electrode configured to deliver the signal from the stimulator.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the electrode comprises a grip of the golf club.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the golf club includes a grip comprising an electrode.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the delivery of the signal is affected by input from an input device selected from a group that consists of:

a button, a switch, a motion sensor, a voice sensor and a dial.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the signal includes a resonant sequence that includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in a musculature that includes the muscle inwardly from the electrodes and towards the center of the musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence.

12. An apparatus for developing strength in a muscle, comprising:

a moveable instrument to be gripped and held by a user; and

a stimulator in communication with the moveable instrument configured to produce a signal for transcutaneous delivery to the muscle via a hand of the user, wherein the signal is delivered as the user moves the moveable instrument and the moveable instrument is selected from a group consisting of;

a golf club, a tennis racquet, a racquetball racquet, a hockey stick and a lacrosse stick.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the moveable instrument includes an electrode configured to deliver the signal from the stimulator.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrode comprises a grip of the moveable instrument.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the delivery of the signal is affected by input from an input device selected from a group that consists of:

a button, a switch, a motion sensor, a voice sensor and a dial.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises a resonant sequence that includes at least three pulses, and wherein the pulses of the resonant sequence are spaced relative to one another such that each pulse subsequent to a first pulse in the sequence is effective to progressively stimulate and create tension in a musculature that includes the muscle inwardly from the electrodes and towards the center of the musculature while maintaining the tension created in at least a portion of the musculature by each preceding pulse in the resonant sequence.