Devices for neuromuscular electrical stimulation
A system for providing wireless electrical stimulation to muscles and nerves for the treatment of medical and non-medical conditions. The electrical stimulation is delivered to the stimulated object (individual) by small neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices attached to wearable supports featuring electrically conductive material rendered on the inside and acting as electrodes. The control of the electrical stimulation devices is provided by a dedicated application running on a mobile device by means of a Bluetooth Low Energy interface.
1 . A wearable support for facilitating provision of electrical stimulation to a user, the wearable support being configured to connect electrically to a controller device, the wearable support comprising:
a device connector configured to receive a complimentary support connector of the controller device, wherein the device connector is configured to permit releasable mounting of the controller device on the wearable support;
an identifier, configured to provide data to a processor on the controller device; and
a conductive medium configured to contact the user and apply the electrical stimulation;
wherein the conductive medium and the identifier are located in proximity to one another on the wearable support.
2 . The wearable support of claim 1 , wherein the wearable support comprises a garment or a wearable accessory, optionally wherein the garment or wearable accessory is: a shirt; pants; a glove; a sock; a strap; a wrap; or a sleeve.
3 . The wearable support of claim 1 , wherein the conductive medium is embedded within the garment or wearable accessory.
4 . The wearable support of claim 1 , wherein the conductive medium comprises an electrode pad, optionally wherein the electrode pad comprises: a carbon-based electrode; a graphene-based electrode; and/or conductive ink.
5 . The wearable support of claim 1 , wherein the device connector is configured such that, when the controller device is mounted on the wearable support, an electrical connection is established between the controller device and the wearable support via the support connector and the device connector.
6 . The wearable support of claim 1 , wherein the identifier is configured to provide data to the controller device by being configured to be read via a near field communication protocol, optionally wherein the identifier is a radio frequency identification tag.
7 . The wearable support of claim 1 , wherein the data provided by the identifier to the controller device comprises a location of the identifier on the wearable support and/or the type of wearable support.
8 . The wearable support of claim 1 , further comprising one or more further identifiers, each configured to provide data to a processor on a controller device, and one or more further conductive media, each configured to contact the user and apply electrical stimulation, wherein each further conductive medium is located in proximity to a respective one of the further identifiers on the wearable support.
9 . A system, comprising:
the wearable support for facilitating provision of electrical stimulation to a user according to claim 1 ; and
a controller device for controlling provision of electrical stimulation to a user, the controller device being configured to connect electrically to the wearable support, the device comprising:
a support connector configured to receive the device connector of the wearable support, wherein the support connector is configured to permit releasable mounting of the controller device on the wearable support; and
a processor configured to receive data from the identifier on the wearable support.
10 . The system according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a mobile device, in communication with the controller device, the mobile device being configured to receive data from the controller device and to transmit data to the controller device.
11 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the mobile device and controller device are configured to communicate via Bluetooth Low Energy.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller device further comprises one or more user controls for controlling provision of electrical stimulation to the user, optionally wherein the one or more user controls comprise one or more of: an on button; an off button; an on/off button; an intensity increase button; and an intensity decrease button.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller device further comprises a power source, optionally wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller device further comprises a visual indicator, optionally wherein the visual indicator comprises a strip of light emitting diodes.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to initiate an electrical stimulation program.
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller device further comprises a pulse generator configured to provide electrical current to the user via the wearable support.
17 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the support connector is configured such that, when the controller device is mounted on the wearable support, an electrical connection is established between the controller device and the wearable support via the support connector and the device connector.
18 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to receive data from the wearable support by reading an identifier on the wearable support via a near field communication protocol, optionally wherein the near field communication protocol is radio frequency identification.