SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING PROSTHETIC OR THERAPEUTIC NEUROMUSCULAR STIMULATION USING A UNIVERSAL EXTERNAL CONTROLLER HAVING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

• US 20020183805A1
• 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: Strother, Robert B. Jr., Ignagni, Anthony R., Thrope, Geoffrey B., Fang, Zi-Ping, Tyler, Dustin J., Pourmehdi, Soheyl, Mrva, Joe, Szpak, Anthony, Walker, Maria E., Winter, Trisha L., Demchak, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,678,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data

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 adapted to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising

a housing,

a display screen carried by the 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 in a first functional mode to generate a signal pattern to an electrode to control a first neuromuscular stimulation function, the processing element also being operative in an second functional mode to control a second function different than the first neuromuscular stimulation function, and

the microprocessor further including an embedded operating system to execute on the display screen a first graphical interface guiding and monitoring the first neuromuscular stimulation function when the first functional mode is enabled and a second graphical interface different, at least in part, from the first graphical interface and guiding and monitoring the second function when the second functional mode is enabled.

2. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the operating system also executes on the display screen a third graphical interface to enable selection by an individual of the first or second functional modes.

3. A controller according to claim 1

wherein, when the second functional mode is enabled, the processing element is operative to generate a signal pattern to an electrode to control a second neuromuscular stimulation function different than the first neuromuscular stimulation function.

4. A controller according to claim 1

wherein, when the second functional mode is enabled, the processing element is operative to generate a signal pattern to an electrode to control a motor function exercise regime.

5. A controller according to claim 1

wherein, when the second functional mode is enabled, the processing element is operative to receive input affecting a control parameter for the first neuromuscular stimulation function.

6. A controller according to claim 1

wherein, when the second functional mode is enabled, the processing element is operative to receive input to program the microprocessor.

7. A controller according to claim 6

wherein the input is received from an external device coupled to the microprocessor.

8. A controller according to claim 1

further including a keypad carried by the housing and coupled to the microprocessor.

9. A controller according to claim 8

wherein, when the second functional mode is enabled, the processing element is operative to receive input from the keypad programming the microprocessor.

10. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the neuromuscular stimulation function affects a motor function.

11. A controller according to claim 1

wherein the neuromuscular stimulation function affects a bladder or bowel or erection control function.

13. A controller according to claim 12

wherein the region comprises an icon that tracks progress of the motor function.

14. A controller according to claim 13

wherein the icon includes a directional arrow.

15. A controller according to claim 13

wherein the icon includes a graphical image.

16. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation using a controller as defined in claim 1 or 12.

17. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 12, and operating the controller to affect at least one motor function.

18. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 12, and operating the controller to affect a bladder or bowel control function.

19. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 12, and operating the controller to affect an erection control function.

20. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 12, and operating the controller to concurrently affect at least one motor function and at least one other neuromuscular stimulation function.

21. A method of providing functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising the steps of providing a controller as defined in claim 1 or 12, and operating the controller to affect at least two neuromuscular stimulation functions.

12. A controller adapted to provide functional neuromuscular stimulation comprising

a housing,

a display screen carried by the 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 a neuromuscular stimulation function that affects motor function, and

the microprocessor further including an operating system to execute on the display screen a graphical interface guiding and monitoring the neuromuscular stimulation function, at least one region of the graphical interface changing over time to track progress of the motor function.