Medical device for isometric stimulation to improve blood flow
First Claim
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1. A method of improving blood circulation in a leg of a patient, the method comprising:
- activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering one or more electrical stimuli to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and device for reduction of or treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the method comprising causing isometric stimulation of the leg muscles to promote blood flow. Other embodiments provide treatment for other circulatory disorders of the lower limbs and/or the systemic circulation.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of improving blood circulation in a leg of a patient, the method comprising:
activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering one or more electrical stimuli to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- 15. A method of treatment of a condition characterised by impaired blood flow in lower limbs, the method comprising activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering one or more electrical stimuli to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles.
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17. A method of operating a device for electrical stimulation of muscles, the method comprising:
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attaching the device to a user in a region of the popliteal fossa to allow activation of said muscles by applying electrical stimulation to the lateral popliteal nerve in the region of the popliteal fossa; and activating the muscles by electrically stimulating the lateral popliteal nerve sufficiently to cause the muscles to contract isometrically.
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18. A method of enhancing blood circulation in a leg of a patient, the method comprising:
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monitoring cardiac activity of the patient; and activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering an electrical stimulus to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically, wherein the stimulus is administered in time with a desired feature of the monitored cardiac activity.
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19. A device for improving blood circulation in a lower limb of a patient, the device comprising:
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a device body; at least one electrode for administration of an electrical stimulus to a nerve of a patient, the at least one electrode arranged with the device body so that the at least one electrode is positioned in the proximity of the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa; a power supply connectable to the electrode; and a control means of activating the electrode to activate a plurality of leg muscles by administering the electrical stimulus to the lateral popliteal nerve in the region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification