Systems and methods for immobilization using charge delivery

• US 7,602,597 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Nerheim, Magne H., Smith, Patrick W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leja; Ronald W
• Application Number:
  US11/307,789
• Publication Number:
  US 20060256498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 361/232
• US Class Current: 361/232
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0018 for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target batons with electric discharge capability F41B15/04; electric shock devices for animals A01K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/04 providing pulse voltages mechanical self-interrupters H01H; electronic pulse-generators H03K
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via numerous electrodes select particular electrodes to use for the stimulus signal. Subsets of electrodes may be tested by applying a test signal and monitoring the energy or charge delivered during a prescribed time. If the delivered energy or charge using a particular subset of electrodes as indicated by monitoring test pulse amplitude suitably compares to a limit, then the particular subset is selected for applying the stimulus signal. A first stimulus signal may be applied to a first subset of electrodes to prompt movement of the target toward an electrode that, when better coupled to the target as a consequence of movement of the target will provide a more effective subset of electrodes for further stimulus. For example, a projectile with closely spaced electrodes may stimulate a burning sensation to attract the target to impale the target'"'"'s hand on a rear facing electrode of the projectile. Use of the rear facing electrode and one or more of the closely spaced electrodes may provide a more effective stimulus circuit through tissue of the target.

Claims

1. A method performed by a system that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted on a path through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing the stimulus signal comprising a series of pulses wherein a particular pulse of the series has an initial voltage magnitude and a terminal voltage magnitude, a start time, an end time, and a duration between the start time and the end time;

during providing, determining at least one of the terminal voltage, the end time, and the duration in accordance with a resistance of the path; and

discontinuing provision of the particular pulse so that a predetermined quantity of charge is delivered to the target by the particular pulse during the duration of the particular pulse, the quantity of charge for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target, whereby the terminal voltage, the end time, and the duration result from discontinuing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the terminal voltage magnitude is less than the initial voltage magnitude.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude for a substantial portion of the duration that comprises a trapezoidal shape.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the method further comprises determining that a predetermined voltage of the particular pulse was provided; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was provided.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the particular pulse comprises discharging a capacitance.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein:

the method further comprises determining that a predetermined voltage of the capacitance was attained; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was attained.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse comprises a stimulus peak voltage.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the method further comprises testing whether ionization is desired; and

providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse sufficient for ionization.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein after ionization the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude in the range of about 3000 volts to about 6000 volts.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein after ionization the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude of about 5000 volts.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the method further comprises testing whether ionization is desired; and

when ionization is not desired, providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse sufficient for a skeletal muscle nerve action potential.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is in the range from about 100 volts to about 600 volts.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is in the range from about 350 volts to about 500 volts.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is about 400 volts.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 15 microcoulombs.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 50 microcoulombs.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 85 microcoulombs.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 50 microcoulombs to about 500 microcoulombs.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 50 microcoulombs to about 150 microcoulombs.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is about 100 microcoulombs.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 30 microcoulombs to about 210 microcoulombs; and

the duration of the particular pulse is in the range from about 50 microseconds to about 100 microseconds.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the method further comprises integrating a first current; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that a result of integrating the first current is in accordance with delivery of the predetermined charge.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first current is delivered through the target.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises:

integrating the current delivered through the target; and

limiting delivery of charge in accordance with a result of integrating the current.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein integrating is performed during the duration of the particular pulse.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein limiting is performed during the duration of the particular pulse.

27. The system that performs the method of claim 1.

28. A projectile comprising the system of claim 27.

29. A method performed by a system that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing a series of pulses wherein

a particular pulse of the series has an initial voltage magnitude and a terminal voltage magnitude;

the particular pulse has a start time, an end time, and a duration between the start time and the end time; and

providing each pulse of the series of pulses comprises partially discharging a capacitance;

testing whether ionization is desired;

when ionization is not desired, providing at the target the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse at about 400 volts;

when ionization is desired, providing at the target and after ionization the particular pulse having a voltage magnitude of about 5000 volts;

during the duration of the particular pulse, integrating the current delivered through the target;

during the duration of the particular pulse, limiting delivery of charge to the target to about 100 microcoulombs in accordance with a result of integrating the current; and

providing the stimulus signal in response to the series of pulses for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target.

30. The system that performs the method of claim 29.

31. A projectile comprising the system of claim 30.

32. A method performed by a system that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing a series of pulses wherein

a particular pulse of the series has an initial voltage magnitude and a terminal voltage magnitude;

the particular pulse has a start time, an end time, and a duration between the start time and the end time; and

providing each pulse of the series of pulses comprises partially discharging a capacitance;

determining that a predetermined voltage of the capacitance was attained;

testing whether ionization is desired;

when ionization is not desired, providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse at about 400 volts;

when ionization is desired, providing after ionization the particular pulse having a voltage magnitude of about 5000 volts;

in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was attained, discontinuing provision of the particular pulse so that a predetermined quantity of charge, of about 100 microcoulombs, is delivered to the target by the particular pulse during the duration of the particular pulse, the quantity of charge for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target; and

providing the stimulus signal in response to the series of pulses.

33. The system that performs the method of claim 32.

34. A projectile comprising the system of claim 33.

35. A method performed by a system that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing, in a plurality of first stages and a plurality of second stages intermixed with the first stages, a series of pulses that includes a particular first pulse of a first stage of the plurality and includes a particular second pulse of a second stage of the plurality;

providing the stimulus signal in response to the series of pulses;

wherein

a first charge is delivered through the target determined by terminating the particular first pulse, the first charge for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target;

a second charge delivered through the target determined by terminating the particular second pulse; and

the second charge is less than the first charge.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the first charge is in the range from about 30 microcoulombs to about 100 microcoulombs.

37. The system that performs the method of claim 35.

38. A projectile comprising the system of claim 37.

39. A method performed by a system that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing, in a plurality of first stages and a plurality of second stages intermixed with the first stages, a series of pulses that includes a particular pulse, wherein a particular first stage has a first pulse repetition rate and a particular second stage has a second pulse repetition rate;

terminating the particular pulse in response to a present voltage magnitude of the particular pulse; and

providing, in response to the series of pulses, the stimulus signal for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target;

wherein

the second pulse repetition rate is less than the first pulse repetition rate.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the first pulse repetition rate is about 20 pulses per second and the second repetition rate is in the range from about 5 pulses per second to about 15 pulses per second.

41. The system that performs the method of claim 39.

42. A projectile comprising the system of claim 41.

43. A method performed by a system that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing, in a plurality of first stages and a plurality of second stages intermixed with the first stages, a series of pulses that includes a particular first pulse of a first stage of the plurality and includes a particular second pulse of a second stage of the plurality; and

providing the stimulus signal in response to the series of pulses;

wherein

a first charge is delivered through the target in response to the first pulse, the first charge being in the range from about 30 microcoulombs to about 100 microcoulombs for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target;

a second charge is delivered through the target in response to the second pulse, the second charge being less than the first charge;

a particular first stage has a first pulse repetition rate and a particular second stage has a second repetition rate;

the first repetition rate is about 20 pulses per second; and

the second repetition rate is in the range from about 5 pulses per second to about 15 pulses per second.

44. The system that performs the method of claim 43.

45. A projectile comprising the system of claim 44.

46. A method performed by a waveform controller that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing a series of pulses wherein a particular pulse of the series has an initial voltage magnitude, a terminal voltage magnitude, a start time, an end time, and a duration between the start time and the end time;

obtaining a first value of an initial quantity of charge stored;

obtaining a second value of a present quantity of charge stored;

responsive to the first value and the second value, discontinuing provision of the particular pulse so that a predetermined quantity of charge is delivered to the target by the particular pulse during the duration of the particular pulse, the quantity of charge for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target; and

providing the stimulus signal in response to the series of pulses.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the terminal voltage magnitude is less than the initial voltage magnitude.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude for a substantial portion of the duration that comprises a trapezoidal shape.

50. The method of claim 46 wherein:

the method further comprises determining that a predetermined voltage of the particular pulse was provided; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was provided.

51. The method of claim 46 wherein providing the particular pulse comprises discharging a capacitance.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein:

the method further comprises determining that a predetermined voltage of the capacitance was attained; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was attained.

53. The method of claim 46 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse comprises a stimulus peak voltage.

54. The method of claim 46 wherein:

the method further comprises testing whether ionization is desired; and

providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse sufficient for ionization.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein after ionization the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude in the range of about 3000 volts to about 6000 volts.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein after ionization the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude of about 5000 volts.

57. The method of claim 46 wherein:

the method further comprises testing whether ionization is desired; and

when ionization is not desired, providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse sufficient for a skeletal muscle nerve action potential.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is in the range from about 100 volts to about 600 volts.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is in the range from about 350 volts to about 500 volts.

60. The method of claim 57 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is about 400 volts.

61. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 15 microcoulombs.

62. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 50 microcoulombs.

63. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 85 microcoulombs.

64. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 50 microcoulombs to about 500 microcoulombs.

65. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 50 microcoulombs to about 150 microcoulombs.

66. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is about 100 microcoulombs.

67. The method of claim 46 wherein:

the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 30 microcoulombs to about 210 microcoulombs; and

the duration of the particular pulse is in the range from about 50 microseconds to about 100 microseconds.

68. The method of claim 46 wherein:

the method further comprises integrating a first current; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that a result of integrating the first current is in accordance with delivery of the predetermined charge.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the first current is delivered through the target.

70. The method of claim 46 wherein:

the stimulus signal is conducted on a path through tissue of the target; and

the second value of stored charge is responsive to a resistance of the path.

47. A method performed by a waveform controller that produces a stimulus signal that, when conducted through tissue of a target, interferes with locomotion by the target, the method comprising:

providing a series of pulses wherein a particular pulse of the series has an initial voltage magnitude, a terminal voltage magnitude, a start time, an end time, and a duration between the start time and the end time;

detecting a difference between the initial voltage magnitude and a present voltage magnitude;

responsive to detecting, operating a switch to discontinue provision of the particular pulse so that a predetermined quantity of charge is delivered to the target by the particular pulse during the duration of the particular pulse, the predetermined quantity of charge for interfering with use by the target of skeletal muscles of the target; and

providing the stimulus signal in response to the series of pulses.

71. The method of claim 47 wherein the terminal voltage magnitude is less than the initial voltage magnitude.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude for a substantial portion of the duration that comprises a trapezoidal shape.

73. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the method further comprises determining that a predetermined voltage of the particular pulse was provided; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was provided.

74. The method of claim 47 wherein providing the particular pulse comprises discharging a capacitance.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein:

the method further comprises determining that a predetermined voltage of the capacitance was attained; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that the predetermined voltage was attained.

76. The method of claim 47 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse comprises a stimulus peak voltage.

77. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the method further comprises testing whether ionization is desired; and

providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse sufficient for ionization.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein after ionization the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude in the range of about 3000 volts to about 6000 volts.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein after ionization the particular pulse has a voltage magnitude of about 5000 volts.

80. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the method further comprises testing whether ionization is desired; and

when ionization is not desired, providing the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse sufficient for a skeletal muscle nerve action potential.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is in the range from about 100 volts to about 600 volts.

82. The method of claim 80 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is in the range from about 350 volts to about 500 volts.

83. The method of claim 80 wherein the initial voltage magnitude of the particular pulse is about 400 volts.

84. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 15 microcoulombs.

85. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 50 microcoulombs.

86. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is greater than about 85 microcoulombs.

87. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 50 microcoulombs to about 500 microcoulombs.

88. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 50 microcoulombs to about 150 microcoulombs.

89. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined quantity of charge is about 100 microcoulombs.

90. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the predetermined quantity of charge is in the range from about 30 microcoulombs to about 210 microcoulombs; and

the duration of the particular pulse is in the range from about 50 microseconds to about 100 microseconds.

91. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the method further comprises integrating a first current; and

discontinuing is performed in response to determining that a result of integrating the first current is in accordance with delivery of the predetermined charge.

92. The method of claim 91 wherein the first current is delivered through the target.

93. The method of claim 47 wherein:

the stimulus signal is conducted on a path through tissue of the target; and

the present voltage is responsive to a resistance of the path.