PORTABLE ASSEMBLIES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FUNCTIONAL OR THERAPEUTIC NEUROSTIMULATION
Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles and/or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators and/or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin or carried outside the body. Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a carrier and an electronics pod, the electronics pod including stimulation generation circuitry and user interface components. A power source and/or flash memory may be incorporated in neurostimulation assembly and/or the return electrode. The assemblies, systems, and methods are adapted to provide coordinated neurostimulation to multiple regions of the body.
1 . A surface mounted electrode comprising:
a top layer and a bottom layer, the bottom layer adapted to provide electrical contact and adhesion to a patient,
a power source positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer, and electrically coupled to the bottom layer and a cable assembly, and
a connector electrically coupled to the cable assembly, the cable assembly and connector adapted to provide electrical contact between the power source and a neurostimulation assembly.
2 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein at least one conductor of the cable assembly comprises a carbon-fiber wire.
3 . An electrode according to claim 2 :
wherein the carbon-fiber wire is adapted to make intimate contact with the bottom layer.
4 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the top layer comprises an adhesive-backed fabric.
5 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the bottom layer comprises a conductive hydrogel material adapted to be placed on the skin.
6 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the power source is adapted to be sandwiched between layers of non-conductive material.
7 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the layers of non-conductive material and the power source sandwiched there between is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer.
8 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the connector is touch proof and/or water proof.
9 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the power source comprises a flexible power source.
10 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
wherein the power source comprises a capacity of about 1 mA-hr to about 1000 mA-hr.
11 . An electrode according to claim 1 :
further including non-volatile memory positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer.
12 . A method comprising:
providing a surface mounted electrode as defined in claim 8 ,
placing the electrode on a tissue surface, and
coupling the electrode to a neurostimulation assembly