Device

• US 20120041513A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sky Medical Technology Ltd
• Original Assignee: Skytech Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Tucker, Arthur Tudor, Bain, Duncan Shirreffs
• Granted Patent: US 8,738,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and device for reduction of or treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the method comprising causing isometric stimulation of the leg muscles to promote blood flow. Other embodiments provide treatment for other circulatory disorders of the lower limbs and/or the systemic circulation.

Claims

1. A method of improving blood circulation in a leg of a patient, the method comprising:

administering one or more electrical stimuli to a plurality of leg muscles, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises applying the stimuli directly to a muscle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises applying the stimuli via at least one nerve which innervates a muscle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises administering the stimuli to a calf muscle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein administering the stimuli to the calf muscle comprises applying the stimuli to one or a combination of soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises administering the stimuli to an ankle or foot muscle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises repeatedly administering an electrical stimulus to a muscle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises administering the stimuli repeatedly for a duration of a journey.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises varying a characteristic of the stimuli over time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein varying a characteristic of the stimuli over time comprises administering a single stimulus that increases in current over a duration of the stimulus.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein varying a characteristic of the stimuli over time comprises applying repeated stimuli, the characteristic of the stimuli varying between different stimuli.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises applying stimuli to a plurality of locations on a muscle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein applying stimuli to a plurality of locations to the muscles comprises sequentially applying stimuli to the plurality of locations on a muscle.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises applying a second stimulus to a second leg muscle.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein applying a second stimulus to a second leg muscle comprises applying the second stimulus simultaneously with a stimulus applied to a first muscle.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying compression to a lower leg portion of the patient.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring blood characteristics in a lower leg portion of the patient.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein monitoring blood characteristics comprises recording monitored characteristics for later reference.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein monitoring blood characteristics comprises adjusting the stimuli in accordance with monitored blood characteristics.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises timing the stimuli in relation to cardiac activity.

21. A method of improving blood circulation in a leg of a patient, the method comprising administering an electrical stimulus to a leg muscle, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscle to contract, wherein the stimulus is applied via a nerve or nerves which innervate the muscle.

22. A method of treatment of a condition characterised by impaired blood flow in lower limbs, the method comprising administering one or more electrical stimuli to a plurality of leg muscles, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein administering one or more electrical stimuli comprises treating or preventing the condition selected from the group comprising DVT, ulcers, varicose veins, ischaemia, oedema, phlebitis, osteoporosis, peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, common hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension.

24. A method of treatment of a condition selected from the group comprising ulcers, varicose veins, ischaemia, oedema, phlebitis, osteoporosis, peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, common hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension, the method comprising administering an electrical stimulus to a leg muscle, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause contraction of the muscle.

25. A method of treatment of a condition characterised by impaired blood flow in lower limbs having a popliteal fossa, the method comprising administering an electrical stimulus to one or a combination of lateral popliteal and medial popliteal nerves in a region of the popliteal fossa.

26. A method of operating a device for electrical stimulation of muscles, the method comprising:

attaching the device to leg muscles of a user to allow stimulation of said muscles; and

electrically stimulating a muscle sufficient to cause the muscle to contract isometrically.

27. A method of enhancing blood circulation in a leg of a patient, the method comprising:

monitoring cardiac activity of the patient; and

administering an electrical stimulus to a leg muscle, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscle to contract, wherein the stimulus is administered in time with a desired feature of the monitored cardiac activity.

28. A device for improving blood circulation in a lower limb of a patient, the device comprising:

at least one electrode for administration of an electrical stimulus to opposed leg muscles of a patient;

a power supply connectable to the electrode; and

a control means for activating the electrode to administer the electrical stimulus to the muscles, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the control means is a processor device having a stored program for activating the electrode.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the control means is adapted to repeatedly activate the electrode.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the control means is adapted to vary characteristics of the stimulus over time.

32. The device of claim 28, further comprising a plurality of electrodes for administration of electrical stimuli to a muscle of the patient.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed linearly.

34. The device of claim 32, wherein the control means is adapted to activate the electrodes to apply stimuli at a plurality of locations on the muscle.

35. The device of claim 28, further comprising a second electrode for administration of a stimulus to a second leg muscle of the patient.

36. The device of claim 35 wherein the control means is adapted to activate the second electrode simultaneously with the electrode for administering the electrical stimulus to the muscle.

37. The device of claim 28, further comprising a means for applying compression to a lower leg of a user.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the means for applying compression carries one or more electrodes.

39. The device of claim 28, further comprising a means for monitoring blood characteristics in the lower limb of the patient.

40. The device of claim 39 wherein the means for monitoring blood characteristics comprises a photoplethysmograph.

41. The device of claim 39, further comprising a means for recording the monitored characteristics for later reference.

42. The device of claim 39, wherein the control means is further adapted to adjust the activation of the electrode in response to the monitored blood characteristic.

43. The device of claim 28, further comprising a means for visually indicating when the electrode is activated.

44. The device of claim 28, wherein the control means is detachable from other components of the device.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the electrodes are mounted on a support, the control means being detachable from the support.

46. The device of claim 44, wherein the control means is incorporated into a separate module.

47. The device of claim 28, further comprising timing elements to integrate synchronous activation with components of a QRS complex of a measured electrocardiogram.

48. A device for improving blood circulation in a lower limb of a patient, the device comprising:

an array of electrodes for administering an electrical stimulus to leg muscles of a patient;

a power supply connectable to the array of electrodes; and

a control means for activating the array of electrodes to administer an electrical stimulus to the muscles, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract.

49. A device for improving blood circulation in a lower limb of a patient, the device comprising:

at least one electrode for administering an electrical stimulus to a leg muscle of the patient; and

a module including a power supply and a control means for activating the electrode to administer the electrical stimulus to the muscle, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscle to contract, the module being selectively engageable with the electrode.

50. A module including:

a power supply; and

a control means for activating an electrode to administer an electrical stimulus to a leg muscle, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscle to contract.

51. A kit comprising;

a device comprising at least one electrode for administering an electrical stimulus to a plurality of leg muscles of a patient;

a power supply connectable to the electrode; and

a control means for activating the electrode to administer an electrical stimulus to the leg muscles, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically;

together with instructions for the use of the device.