Devices and methods for treating restless leg syndrome
First Claim
1. A system for generating a counter-stimulation in a patient suffering from restless leg syndrome, the system comprising:
- a vibration generator configured and arranged to generate a counter-stimulation vibration in a patient suffering from restless leg syndrome, the counter-stimulation having a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute and of an amplitude and time duration either lower than that which would wake the patient and higher than that sufficient to relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms, or sufficient to relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms and allow the patient to return to sleep;
a controller configured and arranged to drive the vibration generator, the controller in communication with the vibration generator, the controller being configured and arranged to ramp down the counter-stimulation so as not to waken or alarm the patient; and
a base configured and arranged to hold the vibration generator adjacent to a patient, the vibration generator attached to the base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary system for generating a counter-stimulation in a patient suffering from RLS includes a device configured and arranged to generate a counter-stimulation in a patient suffering from RLS, the counter-stimulation of an amplitude, intensity, and time duration lower than that which would wake the patient and higher than that sufficient to relieve RLS, or sufficient to relieve RLS symptoms and allow the patient to return to sleep, a controller configured and arranged to drive the counter-stimulation generation device, the controller being in communication with the counter-stimulation device, and a base configured and arranged to hold the counter-stimulation generation device adjacent to a patient, the counter-stimulation device attached to the base. An exemplary method of treating RLS includes selecting a patient experiencing RLS, and stimulating a portion of the patient at an amplitude, intensity, and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation to RLS.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for generating a counter-stimulation in a patient suffering from restless leg syndrome, the system comprising:
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a vibration generator configured and arranged to generate a counter-stimulation vibration in a patient suffering from restless leg syndrome, the counter-stimulation having a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute and of an amplitude and time duration either lower than that which would wake the patient and higher than that sufficient to relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms, or sufficient to relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms and allow the patient to return to sleep; a controller configured and arranged to drive the vibration generator, the controller in communication with the vibration generator, the controller being configured and arranged to ramp down the counter-stimulation so as not to waken or alarm the patient; and a base configured and arranged to hold the vibration generator adjacent to a patient, the vibration generator attached to the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:
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selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome; vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute during a restless leg syndrome episode at an amplitude and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to said restless leg syndrome episode and either to allow the patient to return to sleep or to not wake a sleeping patient; and ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to waken or alarm the patient. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:
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selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome; vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute during a restless leg syndrome episode at an amplitude and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to said restless leg syndrome episode and either to allow the patient to return to sleep or to not wake a sleeping patient; and initiating said vibrating step at the onset of an episode of restless leg syndrome symptoms; and ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to awaken or alarm the patient. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:
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selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome; vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute at an amplitude, and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to restless leg syndrome but low enough to allow the patient to sleep; and initiating said stimulating step at the onset of an episode of restless leg syndrome symptoms; and ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to awaken the patient. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:
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selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome; vibrating a portion of the patient with a vibration generator at a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute at an amplitude and duration sufficient to act as a counter-stimulation vibration to restless leg syndrome but low enough to allow the patient to sleep; and performing said stimulating step while (1) the patient is attempting to sleep and (2) while the patient is experiencing symptoms of restless leg symptoms; and ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration so as not to awaken the patient. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of treating restless leg syndrome, the method comprising:
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selecting a patient experiencing restless leg syndrome; applying a counter-stimulation generation device to a leg of the patient, said counter-stimulation generation device comprising a vibration generator, a controller operable to drive the counter-stimulation generation device, and a sleeve or pad for holding the vibration generator, said vibration generator operable to generate a counter-stimulation having a frequency of between 50 hz and 10 per minute of an amplitude, and time duration sufficient to relieve restless leg syndrome symptoms but low enough to allow the patient to sleep; operating the counter-stimulation generation device to provide counter-stimulating vibration to the legs of the patient, at the onset of a restless leg syndrome episode; ramping down the counter-stimulation vibration after a period of 5 to 30 minutes of counter-stimulation vibrations. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification