Device for providing transdermal electrical stimulation at an adjustable position on a head

• US 8,880,173 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: DiUbaldi, Anthony R., Subbaroyan, Jeyakumar, Baynham, Tamara C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATTON, AMANDA K
• Application Number:
  US13/796,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 607139-141
• US Class Current: 607/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain

Abstract

A device for providing transdermal electrical stimulation at an adjustable position on a head. The device including a supporting member economically shaped and configured to be fixedly supported about an anatomical body part; the supporting member being adjustably positionable in only two directions substantially perpendicular to one another. No electrical stimulation is provided by the supporting member. Alternatively, the device includes at least one pair of electrodes for producing the transdermal electrical stimulation to the head. The electrodes are mounted to a securing member shaped and configured to be releasably securable only about a plurality of strands of hair at a predetermined fixed orientation without being secured about any anatomical body part.

Claims

1. A device for providing transdermal electrical stimulation at an adjustable position on a head, comprising:

at least one pair of electrodes for producing the transdermal electrical stimulation; and

a securing member shaped and configured to be releasably securable only about a plurality of strands of hair at a predetermined fixed orientation without being secured about any anatomical body part;

the at least one pair of electrodes being mounted to the securing member;

wherein the securing member comprises;

a flexible substrate having at least two openings defined therein, the at least one pair of electrodes being mounted to the flexible substrate; and

a rod insertable through the at least two openings for releasably securing the plural strands of hair between the flexible substrate and the rod to retain the device at the predetermined fixed orientation about the head.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of non-conductive bristles exclusively for securing the flexible substrate to the plural strands of hair.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the plural non-conductive bristles do not provide electrical stimulation or move the plural strands of hair away to provide contact at an interface between the at least one pair of electrodes and the head.

4. The device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the plural non-conductive bristles are filed with hydrogel that is releasable when subject to application of a sufficient force.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the securing member is shaped as a spring loaded hair clip.

6. The device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the spring loaded clip is a butterfly clip with intermeshed mating teeth and electrode pairs are disposed proximate tips of at least some of the intermeshed mating teeth.

7. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the securing member is shaped as a barrette.