Electrical stimulation device and method for therapeutic treatment and pain management
View Patent ↗A disposable electrical stimulation device and method for providing therapeutic treatment and pain management in a convenient, compact configuration. Electrode size and shape and relative configuration can be varied according to an intended application and use, or a universal configuration can be provided for use on almost any area of the body. The common structure of communicatively coupled dual electrodes including control circuitry and a power source accommodates a range of different sizes, configurations, stimulation treatment intensities, and other physical and electrical characteristics that can be pre-customized and packaged for specific, limited time use. The device can therefore be used in methods of providing therapy, managing pain, and achieving other treatment goals by electrical stimulation.
1. A compact electrical stimulation device comprising:
a first disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion including a first connector;
a second disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion, separate from the first electrode portion, the second electrode portion including a second connector;
a control module including a third connector selectively attached to the first connector of the first electrode portion and comprising:
at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic;
a status indicator adapted to indicate at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program; and
a first and a second control input adapted to customize the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range, the first control input tactilely differentiated from the second control input;
a flexible cable coupled at a first end to the control module and including a fourth connector at a second end selectively attached to the second connector of the second electrode portion; and
a power source housed in a structure also having the control module and electrically coupled to the control module to power the electrical stimulation device.
2. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the power source is replaceable.
3. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the control module is disposable when the power source is depleted.
4. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one preprogrammed treatment program is selected from a group consisting of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) program, a muscle stimulation program, a massage program, a bone growth stimulation program, and a cartilage growth stimulation program.
5. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
6. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 5 , wherein the control module comprises a transparent or semi-transparent housing, and wherein the status indicator is embedded within the control module housing.
7. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , further comprising a strain relief connector proximate the second end.
8. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth connectors are snap connectors.
9. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one customizable treatment characteristic comprises a stimulation intensity, and wherein the predetermined range varies from a preset minimum stimulation intensity to a preset maximum stimulation intensity.
10. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second control inputs are integrated in a flexible dual-function keypad, and wherein a first zone of the keypad comprises the first control input and a second zone of the keypad comprises the second control input.
11. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 10 , wherein the first zone comprises a depressible outer ring portion of the keypad and the second zone comprises a depressible inner button portion of the keypad.
12. A compact and disposable electrical stimulation device comprising:
a first disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion and a separate second disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion, the second electrode portion including a first connector;
a control module integrated with the first electrode portion and comprising:
at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic; and
a first and a second control input adapted to customize the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range, the first control input tactilely differentiated from the second control input;
a flexible cable coupled at a first end to the control module and including a second connector at a second end selectively attached to the first connector of the second electrode portion; and
a power source electrically coupled with the control module and integrated with one of the first or second electrode portions.
13. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one preprogrammed treatment program is selected from a group consisting of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) program, a muscle stimulation program, a massage program, a bone growth stimulation program, and a cartilage growth stimulation program.
14. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 12 , wherein the control module further comprises a status indicator adapted to indicate at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program.
15. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 14 , wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
16. A compact electrical stimulation device comprising:
a first disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion including a first connector;
a second disposable and self-adhesive electrode portion, separate from the first electrode portion, the second electrode portion including a second connector;
a control module including a third connector selectively attached to the first connector of the first electrode portion and comprising:
at least one preprogrammed treatment program comprising at least one customizable treatment characteristic;
a status indicator adapted to indicate at least one of a characteristic of the device and a characteristic of the preprogrammed treatment program; and
a first and a second control input adapted to customize the at least one treatment characteristic within a predetermined range, the first control input tactilely differentiated from the second control input;
a flexible cable coupled at a first end to the control module and including a fourth connector at a second end for selectively attached to the second connector of the second electrode portion; and
a power source electrically coupled to the control module by the flexible cable.
17. The compact electrical stimulation device of claim 16 , wherein the power source is integrated in the second electrode portion.