Methods and devices for performing electrical stimulation to treat various conditions

• US 9,757,584 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2016
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emkinetics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Emkinetics, Inc.
• Inventors: Burnett, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US15/056,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20160193466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0502 Skin piercing electrodes
• 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 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36075 Headache or migraine
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36096 Mood disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety or panic disorder
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36107 Sexual dysfunction stimulating genital organs A61N1/36007
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/008 for pain treatment or analgesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

In certain variations, systems and/or methods for electromagnetic induction therapy are provided. One or more ergonomic or body contoured applicators may be included. The applicators include one or more conductive coils configured to generate an electromagnetic or magnetic field focused on a target nerve, muscle or other body tissues positioned in proximity to the coil. One or more sensors may be utilized to detect stimulation and to provide feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy. A controller may be adjustable to vary a current through a coil to adjust the magnetic field focused upon the target nerve, muscle or other body tissues based on the feedback provide by a sensor or by a patient. In certain systems or methods, pulsed magnetic fields may be intermittently applied to a target nerve, muscle or tissue without causing habituation.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

applying an electrode patch to skin such that the electrode patch is disposed on an outer surface of the skin and the electrode patch is electrically coupled with a controller unit, the controller unit including a pulse generator;

electrically coupling a percutaneous electrode to the controller unit, the percutaneous electrode having an end for inserting in proximity to a tibial nerve, or a branch thereof, of the patient;

inserting the end of the percutaneous electrode into the skin in proximity to the tibial nerve, or a branch thereof, of the patient; and

activating the pulse generator such that current pulses flow along the tibial nerve, or branch thereof, by passing between the electrode patch and the percutaneous electrode, the current pulses configured to treat overactive bladder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the end of the percutaneous electrode comprises inserting the end near or at an ankle of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction or stimulation of a nerve, muscle, or body tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the pulse generator comprises activating for a duration of about 30 minutes per week to treat the patient.

5. A method, comprising:

positioning a transcutaneous electrode on skin of a patient in proximity to a tibial nerve, or a branch thereof;

inserting an end of a percutaneous needle electrode through the skin in proximity to the tibial nerve, or a branch thereof, the percutaneous needle electrode including a wire disposed opposite the end;

securing a controller unit to the transcutaneous electrode such that the controller unit is electrically coupled to the transcutaneous electrode, the controller unit including a pulse generator;

connecting the wire of the percutaneous needle electrode to the controller unit for electrically coupling the percutaneous needle electrode to the controller; and

activating the pulse generator such that current pulses flow along the tibial nerve, or a branch thereof, by passing between the transcutaneous electrode and the percutaneous needle electrode, the current pulses configured to treat overactive bladder.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein inserting an end of the percutaneous needle electrode comprises inserting the end near or at an ankle of the patient.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction or stimulation of a nerve, muscle, or body tissue.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein activating the pulse generator comprises activating for a duration of about 30 minutes per week to treat the patient.