Topical neurological stimulation
A topical nerve stimulator patch and system are provided comprising a dermal patch; an electrical signal generator associated with the patch; a signal receiver to activate the electrical signal generator; a power source for the electrical signal generator associated with the patch; an electrical signal activation device; and a nerve feedback sensor.
1. A topical nerve stimulator system comprising:
a flexible dermis conforming patch defining a surface and formed by a substrate;
electrodes positioned on the patch proximal the surface and directly coupled to the substrate;
electronic circuitry embedded in the patch comprising a system on a chip that is directly coupled to the substrate and comprising:
an electrical signal generator configured to electrically activate the electrodes;
a signal receiver in communication with the electrical signal generator;
an antenna;
a transmitter; and
a receiver;
a remote control device in wireless communication with the electronic circuitry, the remote control device configured to provide a signal to start stimulation on a user via the electrodes, the signal generated in response to the user interacting with the remote control device.
2. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 1 , the surface further comprises adhesive.
3. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 1 , further comprising a feedback sensor on the patch coupled to the substrate and configured to sense muscle and/or nerve activation and communicate data to the remote control device.
4. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 1 , the remote control device is a smartphone and the signal is generated via a smartphone app.
5. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 1 , the remote control device is a key fob controller comprising a button and the signal is generated via a pressing of the button.
6. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 3 , the stimulation based on a stimulation pattern that is revised in response to the sensed muscle and/or nerve activation.
7. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 1 , the electrodes configured to stimulate a mammalian nerve.
8. The topical nerve stimulator system of claim 1 , the remote control device comprising a user interface configured to provide visual, audio and tactile feedback to a user.
9. A method for controlling a body function of a user comprising:
applying a flexible dermis conforming patch to a dermis of the user in proximity to a selected nerve, the patch formed by a substrate and comprising electrodes directly coupled to the substrate, electronic circuitry embedded in the patch comprising a system on a chip that is directly coupled to the substrate and comprising an electrical signal generator configured to electrically activate the electrodes, a signal receiver in communication with the electric signal generator, an antenna, a transmitter and a receiver;
applying an electrical signal generated by the flexible dermis conforming patch to the selected nerve; and
sensing nerve stimulation response;
the applying in response to a signal to start stimulation on the user via the electrodes from a remote control device in wireless communication with the electronic circuitry, the signal generated in response to the user interacting with the remote control device.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising monitoring the nerve response to the electrical signal and adjusting a nerve stimulation pattern that is revised in response to the nerve response.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising monitoring a muscle response to the nerve stimulation and adjusting a nerve stimulation pattern that is revised in response to the nerve response.
12. The method of claim 9 , the remote control device is a smartphone and the signal is generated via a smartphone app.
13. The method of claim 9 , the remote control device is a key fob controller comprising a button and the signal is generated via a pressing of the button.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising applying the flexible dermis conforming patch to the dermis with adhesive.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising applying more than one flexible dermis conforming patches to the dermis.
16. The method of claim 9 further comprising stimulating more than one nerve with one or more flexible dermis conforming patches to create a nerve stimulation pattern.
17. The method of claim 9 further comprising applying the electrical signal to a selected portion of a nerve.
18. The method of claim 9 further comprising selectively adjusting a strength of the electrical signal.
19. The method of claim 9 further comprising selectively adjusting a shape of the electrical signal.
20. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving a signal feedback from a stimulated nerve.
21. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving feedback from a stimulated nerve and adjusting the electrical signal based on the feedback.
22. The method of claim 9 , the remote control device comprising a user interface configured to provide visual, audio and tactile feedback to a user.
23. A topical nerve stimulator patch comprising:
a substrate;
electrodes positioned on the patch proximal the surface and directly coupled to the substrate;
electronic circuitry embedded in the patch comprising a system on a chip that is directly coupled to the substrate and comprising:
an electrical signal generator configured to electrically activate the electrodes;
a signal receiver in communication with the electrical signal generator;
an antenna;
a transmitter; and
a receiver;
the electrical circuitry configured to be in wireless communication with a remote control device, the remote control device configured to provide a signal to start stimulation on a user via the electrodes, the signal generated in response to the user interacting with the remote control device.
24. The topical nerve stimulator patch of claim 23 , further comprising a feedback sensor on the patch coupled to the substrate and configured to sense muscle and/or nerve activation and communicate data to the remote control device.
25. The topical nerve stimulator patch of claim 24 , the stimulation based on a stimulation pattern that is revised in response to the sensed muscle and/or nerve activation.