Electrostimulation system

• US 9,327,119 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Quest Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vision Quest Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Skahan, Michael S., Lunau, Kevin R., Combs, David K., Fischer, Wallace Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US14/234,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20140155799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 607/149, 600/372
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0123 for the knees A61F5/0106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/22 Electromedical belts , e.g. neck chains, armbands
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

An electrostimulation system of the invention includes a signal generator, a docking assembly, and at least one transmission assembly. The signal generator is configured to produce at least one signal. The docking assembly includes a main housing; at least one mechanical retaining element operatively connected to the main housing that mechanically secures the signal generator to the docking assembly; and, at least one electrical docking element mechanically connected to the main housing that electrically connects the docking assembly to the signal generator. The at least one transmission assembly is adapted to fit on a portion of a user'"'"'s anatomy, including at least one transmission assembly connection element (TACE) adapted to transmit a signal from the docking assembly to the user. The signal generator is electrically and mechanically detachably connected to the docking assembly during use.

Claims

1. An electrostimulation system comprising:

a) a signal generator configured to produce at least one signal;

b) a docking assembly comprising;

i. a main housing;

ii. at least one mechanical retaining element operatively connected to said main housing to mechanically secure said signal generator to said docking assembly; and

,

iii. at least one electrical docking element mechanically connected to said main housing for electrical connection of said docking assembly to said signal generator; and

c) at least one transmission assembly adapted to fit on a portion of a user'"'"'s anatomy, comprising at least one transmission assembly connection element (TACE) adapted to transmit a signal from said docking assembly to the user,

wherein said signal generator is electrically and mechanically detachably connected to said docking assembly during use, and, wherein

i. said at least one transmission assembly comprises a plurality of signal transmission elements, said plurality of signal transmission elements including a set of signal transmission elements being at selected anatomic locations at an inner surface of said transmission assembly and at least one other signal transmission element spaced from said anatomic locations;

ii. said TACE comprises conductive fabric or other conductive material positioned on said transmission assembly and electrically connected to said signal transmission elements; and

,

iii. said docking assembly further comprises at least one docking assembly connection element (DACE) electrically connectable to said TACE so as to provide an electrical connection of said at least one docking assembly to said TACE.

2. The electrostimulation system of claim 1 wherein,

said at least one transmission assembly comprises a conductive glove including said plurality of signal transmission elements, said plurality of signal transmission elements including said set of signal transmission elements being at said selected anatomic locations at an inner surface of said conductive glove, said anatomic locations being fingertip locations, said plurality of signal transmission elements including and at least one other signal transmission element spaced from said fingertip locations.

3. The electrostimulation system of claim 2 wherein said set of signal transmission elements comprises at least one active signal transmission element and at least one other signal transmission element comprises a dispersive signal transmission element.

4. The electrostimulation system of claim 3 wherein said at least one active signal transmission element is positioned on the fingertips and said at least one other dispersive transmission element is positioned on a forearm portion of the conductive glove.

5. The electrostimulation system of claim 1 wherein,

said at least one transmission assembly comprises a knee orthotic device including said plurality of signal transmission elements, said plurality of signal transmission elements including at least one signal transmission element being positioned at a knee joint location and at least one other signal transmission element spaced from said knee joint location.

6. The electrostimulation system of claim 5 wherein said set of signal transmission elements comprises at least one active signal transmission element and at least one other signal transmission element comprises a dispersive signal transmission element.

7. The electrostimulation system of claim 1 wherein said signal generator, comprises:

a) a main casing having signal generator electronics configured to produce at least one signal for the promotion of joint health;

b) at least one mechanical retaining element configured to mechanically secure said main casing to a docking assembly;

c) at least two electrical connection elements operatively connected to said main casing for transmitting said signal;

d) data connection means operatively connected to said main casing for transmission of electronic data;

e) at least one discrete physical button operatively connected to said main casing for user input;

f) a touch screen display operatively connected to said main casing configured to function as a user interface; and

g) a user interface system operatively connected to said touch screen display, said interface system programmed for displaying intuitive icons representing operational functions or status readouts on said touch screen display.

8. The electrostimulation system of claim 7 wherein:

a) said at least one discrete physical button comprises three physical buttons, comprising;

“

UP”

, “

DOWN”

, and “

ENTER”

;

b) wherein settings are selectable, said settings including signal power; and

,

c) said touch screen display being configured to provide;

i) a main display;

ii) a power setting display;

iii) a treatment running display;

iv) a locked mode display; and

,

v) a settings menu.

9. The electrostimulation system of claim 1 adapted to treat any of the following portions of the user'"'"'s anatomy:

fingers, wrist, hand, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, spine.

10. The electrostimulation system of claim 1 wherein said signal generator is controllable via a voice-controlled interface system.

11. The electrostimulation system of claim 1:

wherein said at least one transmission assembly is adapted to be conductive in at least one selected area of treatment on said portion of the user'"'"'s anatomy and insulative in other areas.

12. The system described in claim 11, wherein said transmission assembly is insulative on an outer surface of said transmission assembly.

13. The electrostimulation system of claim 11, adapted to treat any of the following portions of the user'"'"'s anatomy:

fingers, wrist, hand, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, spine.

14. The electrostimulation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of either said DACE or TACE are disposed in locations that prevent signal transmission if said docking assembly is incorrectly assembled to said at least one transmission assembly.

15. The electrostimulation system of claim 1, wherein said electrostimulation system is part of a kit including a manual which includes clear text instructions which represent operating functions of said electrostimulation system.

16. The electrostimulation system of claim 1, wherein said signal generator comprises:

a) a main casing having signal generator electronics configured to produce at least one signal for the promotion of joint health;

b) at least one mechanical retaining element configured to mechanically secure said main casing to a docking assembly;

c) at least two electrical connection elements operatively connected to said main casing for transmitting at least one signal;

d) data connection means operatively connected to said main casing for transmission of electronic data;

e) at least one discrete physical button operatively connected to said main casing for user input;

f) a touch screen display operatively connected to said main casing configured to function as a user interface;

g) a user interface system operatively connected to said touch screen display, said interface system programmed for displaying intuitive icons representing operational functions or status readouts on said touch screen display; and

,

h) wireless data transmission means for two-way communication of data between the signal generator and an external system.

17. The electrostimulation system of claim 1, wherein said signal generator comprises one or more external systems.