Electromuscular incapacitation device and methods

• US 8,277,328 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aegis Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aegis Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Stethem, Kenneth J., Hathcock, Casey, Marino, Bruno D. V., Mehta, Anita, Bernard, Robert Randolph, Lee, James, Pho, Viet Thinh
• Primary Examiner(s): Pierce, William
• Application Number:
  US12/773,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20100214714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 463/47.3, 361/22, 231/7
• US Class Current: 463/47.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/02 Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals A01K15/04 takes precedence; Electric shock devices circuits therefor H03K3/537; Toys specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A22B 3/06 Slaughtering or stunning by electric current electric circuits therefor H05C
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 15/04 with electric stunning-means ejecting electrically charged liquid jets F41B9/00; electric shock creating harpoons F42B30/14; electric circuits or apparatus for killing or stunning H05C
• 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 13/0087 the high-energy beam being a bright light, e.g. for dazzling or blinding purposes F41H13/0056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/10 Hand-held or body-worn self-defence devices using repellant gases or chemicals

Abstract

Incapacitation of a mammalian subject results from the application of a pulsed, low-power electric waveform. The waveform is applied to the subject at a frequency and over a time period sufficient to induce involuntary muscular contraction. Additionally, the contraction causes limited lactic acid production and is non- or minimally-injurious to the subject'"'"'s tissues. A device utilizing such a waveform is designed to control or otherwise subdue an individual.

Claims

1. An apparatus for temporarily incapacitating a subject, the apparatus comprising:

a circuit for generating and delivering a pulsed electric waveform comprising a peak voltage of less than about 1 kV, a peak DC current of less than about 1 A, a pulse duration from about 3 μ

s to about 1000 μ

s, and a frequency from about 50 Hz to about 70 Hz, the waveform generated and delivered over a time period sufficient to induce involuntary muscular contraction with non-injurious muscle effects;

a plurality of electrical contacts for delivering the waveform to a subject; and

a switch to selectively activate the circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each contact comprises at least one of a pad, a button, a nub, a prong, a needle, and a hook.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a release mechanism for releasing the plurality of contacts from the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contacts deliver the waveform to a subject subcutaneously.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contacts deliver the waveform to an outer surface of a subject.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elongate body having a first end and a second end, wherein the contacts are located proximate the first end and the switch is located proximate the second end.

7. A method of temporarily incapacitating a subject with an apparatus having a plurality of electrodes, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a pulsed electric waveform comprising a peak voltage of less than about 1 kV, a peak DC current of less than about 1 A, a pulse duration from about 3 μ

s to about 1000 μ

s, and a frequency from about 50 Hz to about 70 Hz; and

delivering, via the plurality of electrodes, the pulsed electric waveform to a subject over a time period sufficient to induce involuntary muscular contraction with non-injurious muscle effects.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein due to application of the waveform, the non-injurious muscle effect comprises a myoglobin concentration value substantially unchanged relative to a control, wherein the control is based upon an absence of application of the waveform.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein due to application of the waveform, the non-injurious muscle effect comprises a CK-MB concentration value substantially unchanged relative to a control, wherein the control is based upon an absence of application of the waveform.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein due to application of the waveform, the non-injurious muscle effect comprises a troponin I concentration value substantially unchanged relative to a control, wherein the control is based upon an absence of application of the waveform.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein due to application of the waveform, the involuntary muscular contraction results in limited lactic acid production, wherein lactic acid production due to application of the waveform is substantially unchanged from lactic acid production prior to application of the waveform.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein due to application of the waveform, a lactic acid concentration of a subject is substantially unchanged relative to a control, wherein the control is based upon an absence of application of the waveform.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the frequency comprises a value of about 60 Hz.