System for electrical stimulation of nerves
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for stimulation of nerves in a user'"'"'s leg, comprising:
- at least one electrode adapted to be coupled to a nerve in a lower leg of the user;
a pulse generator electrically connected to the at least one electrode, the pulse generator being configured to generate a pulse pattern to be transmitted to the at least one electrode and to broadcast signals having a resonant frequency and to be mounted to a hip of the user;
a trigger device adapted to be mounted to an exterior of a foot of the user'"'"'s leg, the trigger device including an oscillation circuit tuned to the resonant frequency of the signals broadcast by the pulse generator and at least one tactile switch arranged in the oscillation circuit, the trigger device being powered wirelessly by the signals received from the pulse generator;
wherein when the tactile switch is closed between heel-strike and heel-off events, the oscillation circuit is closed and appears as a load to the pulse generator, and when the tactile switch is open between heel-off and heel-strike events, the oscillation circuit is open and does not appear as a load to the pulse generator;
wherein the pulse generator determines a heel strike event based on the load from the oscillation circuit, and then transmits the pulse pattern to the electrode to stimulate the at least one nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for treatment of gait disorders reflects, with electrical stimulation patterns fed to electrodes (1, 8) arranged at the patient, on the event of heel-strike and heel-off, the events being generated by a wireless heel switch (5). The pulse generator (4) also transfers the electrical energy needed to operate the heel switch (5) wirelessly. The event signal from the heel switch (5) is modulated in order to achieve a longer operating range.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for stimulation of nerves in a user'"'"'s leg, comprising:
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at least one electrode adapted to be coupled to a nerve in a lower leg of the user; a pulse generator electrically connected to the at least one electrode, the pulse generator being configured to generate a pulse pattern to be transmitted to the at least one electrode and to broadcast signals having a resonant frequency and to be mounted to a hip of the user; a trigger device adapted to be mounted to an exterior of a foot of the user'"'"'s leg, the trigger device including an oscillation circuit tuned to the resonant frequency of the signals broadcast by the pulse generator and at least one tactile switch arranged in the oscillation circuit, the trigger device being powered wirelessly by the signals received from the pulse generator; wherein when the tactile switch is closed between heel-strike and heel-off events, the oscillation circuit is closed and appears as a load to the pulse generator, and when the tactile switch is open between heel-off and heel-strike events, the oscillation circuit is open and does not appear as a load to the pulse generator; wherein the pulse generator determines a heel strike event based on the load from the oscillation circuit, and then transmits the pulse pattern to the electrode to stimulate the at least one nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for stimulation of nerves in a user'"'"'s leg, comprising:
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at least one electrode adapted to be coupled to at least one nerve in the user'"'"'s leg; a pulse generator electrically connected to the at least one electrode and configured to generate a pulse pattern to be transmitted to the at least one electrode and includes a transmitter to broadcast signals having a resonant frequency, the pulse generator being configured to be positioned on an exterior of the user in an area of the user'"'"'s hip and to continuously generate signals; a trigger device adapted to be mounted to an exterior of a foot of the user'"'"'s leg, the trigger device including an oscillation circuit tuned to the resonant frequency of the signals broadcast by the pulse generator and at least one tactile switch arranged in the oscillation circuit; wherein when the tactile switch is closed between heel-strike and heel-off events, the oscillation circuit is closed and appears as a load to the pulse generator, and when the tactile switch is open between heel-off and heel-strike events, the oscillation circuit is open and does not appear as a load to the pulse generator; wherein the pulse generator determines a heel strike event based on the load from the oscillation circuit, and transmits the pulse pattern to the electrode to stimulate the at least one nerve in response to the load; wherein the trigger device is powered wirelessly by the signals received from the pulse generator; wherein the at least one electrode and the pulse generator are configured to be positioned on the user at a location proximal of and remote from the trigger device. - View Dependent Claims (4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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5. A system according to claim , wherein the trigger device includes a logical unit that generates a pre-scaled subcarrier, the subcarrier being modulated onto the broadcasted signal.
Specification