Systems and methods for performing prosthetic or therapeutic neuromuscular stimulation using an external, battery powered controller with power conservation features

• US 20020183803A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neurocontrol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Neurocontrol Corporation
• Inventors: Thrope, Geoffrey B., Ignagni, Anthony, Tyler, Dustin, Fang, Zi-Ping, Pourmehdi, Soheyl, Mrva, Joe, Szpak, Anthony, Walker, Maria E., Winter, Trisha L., Strother, Robert B. Jr., Demchak, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,587,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/025 Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulating genital organs A61N1/36007
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Claims

1. A controller to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising

a housing,

an output device carried by the housing that can be coupled to an electrode,

a microprocessor carried by the housing coupled to the output device including a processing element operative to generate a signal pattern to an electrode to control at least one neuromuscular stimulation function, and

a battery carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to power the processing element.

2. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the battery is rechargeable.

3. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the housing and battery are sized and configured, when coupled to the microprocessor, to fit within a hand of an individual.

4. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the housing and battery are sized and configured, when coupled to the microprocessor, to be carried by an individual.

5. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the battery is removable from the housing for recharging.

6. A controller according to claim 5

wherein the battery is rechargeable only when removed from the housing.

7. A controller according to claim 6

further including a keypad carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to generate programming instructions to affect programming of the microprocessor.

23. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation using a controller as defined in claim 1 or 8 or 21.

24. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 8 or 21, and operating the controller to affect at least one motor function.

25. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 8 or 21, and operating the controller to affect a bladder or bowel control function.

26. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 8 or 21, and operating the controller to affect an erection control function.

27. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 8 or 21, and operating the controller to concurrently affect at least one motor function and at least one other neuromuscular stimulation function.

28. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 8 or 21, and operating the controller to affect at least two neuromuscular stimulation functions.

8. A controller to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising

a housing,

an output device carried by the housing that can be coupled to an electrode,

a microprocessor carried by the housing coupled to the output device including a processing element operative to generate a signal pattern to an electrode to control at least one neuromuscular stimulation function, and

a battery carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to power the processing element,

the signal pattern generated by the processing element comprising command signals transmitted in a periodic succession of energy pulses to conserve battery life.

9. A controller according to claim 8

wherein each energy pulse includes a stimulus phase during which the command signals are transmitted.

10. A controller according to claim 8

wherein each command signal includes a sequence of periodic pulses to identify an electrode channel and a set stimulation amplitude command for the identified electrode channel.

11. A controller according to claim 8

wherein each command signal includes a sequence of periodic pulses to identify an electrode channel and a set stimulation duration command for the identified electrode channel.

12. A controller according to claim 8

wherein each command signal includes a sequence of periodic pulses to identify an electrode channel, a set stimulation amplitude command for the identified electrode channel, and a set stimulation duration command for the identified electrode channel.

13. A controller according to claim 8

wherein the sequence of periodic pulses comprises an energy on period, an energy off period, and gaps between successive energy on and energy off periods.

14. A controller according to claim 14

wherein by number and sequence of gaps a code is expressed that identifies an electrode channel, a set stimulation amplitude command for the identified electrode, and a set stimulation duration command for the identified electrode.

15. A controller according to claim 8

wherein each command signal includes a sequence of periodic pulses expressing a code.

16. A controller according to claim 15

wherein the sequence of periodic pulses comprises an energy on period, an energy off period, and gaps between successive energy on and energy off periods, the code being expressed by number and sequence of the gaps.

17. A controller according to claim 15

wherein the code identifies an electrode channel.

18. A controller according to claim 15

wherein the code identifies a set stimulation amplitude command.

19. A controller according to claim 15

wherein the code identifies a set stimulation duration command.

20. A controller according to claim 8

wherein the periodic succession of energy pulses comprises modulated radio frequency waves.

21. A controller to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising

a housing,

an output device carried by the housing that can be coupled to an electrode,

a signal source to generate a control signal,

an input device carried by the housing to receive the control signal generated by the signal source,

a microprocessor carried by the housing coupled to the output device and the input device including a processing element operative to generate a signal pattern to an electrode to control at least one neuromuscular stimulation function in response to a control signal received from the input device, and

a battery carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor to power the processing element,

the control signal generated by the signal source comprises a periodic succession of pulses to conserve battery life.

22. A controller according to claim 21

wherein the signal pattern generated by the processing element comprises command signals transmitted in a periodic succession of energy pulses to conserve battery life.