IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,303,681
Granted Patent B2
US 12,303,681 · App. 17/240,913 · Granted May 20, 2025

Systems and methods for automated muscle stimulation

Inventor: Brian J. Fahey (Redwood City, CA)
Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
A61N1/0492A61B5/296A61B5/4523A61B5/4836A61B5/6828A61B5/6841A61B90/39A61H39/002A61N1/0452A61N1/0476A61N1/36003A61N1/3603A61B5/4585A61B2090/3904A61H2201/165A61H2201/5005A61H2201/5015A61H2201/5061A61H2201/5084A61H2201/5092A61H2201/5097A61H2205/10A61H2205/104A61H2230/045A61H2230/655
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,303,681
App. No.
17/240,913
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of electrically stimulating a target muscle of a patient includes placing an array of stimulation electrodes in electrical contact with the target muscle, applying an electrical stimulation signal to the array of stimulation electrodes, obtaining a signal from a sensing element placed on the patient, wherein the signal characterizes at least one biological parameter associated with contraction of the target muscle, and determining which stimulation electrodes optimize the efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal based on measurements from the stimulation electrodes and the sensing element.

Claims (29)

1. A method of electrically stimulating a target muscle of a patient, the method comprising:

placing an array of stimulation electrodes on a patient's skin in electrical contact with the target muscle;

applying an electrical stimulation signal to the array of stimulation electrodes;

placing a sensing element on the patient's skin in a region of a tendon that is mechanically coupled to the target muscle;

obtaining a signal from the sensing element, wherein the signal characterizes at least one biological parameter associated with contraction of the target muscle; and

determining which stimulation electrodes of the array of stimulation electrodes optimize efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal based on measurements from the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adapting parameters of the electrical stimulation signal based on the measurements from the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein adapting comprises adapting at least one of a stimulation waveform, an energy level, or a stimulation frequency of an electrical single applied to at least one of the stimulation electrodes.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the stimulation electrodes that optimize the efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal comprises selecting a subset of the array of stimulation electrodes and stimulating the target muscle with only the subset of the array of stimulation electrodes.

5. A muscle stimulation system comprising:

an array of stimulation electrodes adapted to be placed on a patient's skin in electrical contact with a target muscle of a patient, the array of stimulation electrodes configured to receive an electrical stimulation signal;

a sensing element adapted to be placed on the patient's skin in a region of a tendon that is mechanically coupled to the target muscle, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect at least one biological parameter associated with contraction of the target muscle;

an electrical stimulation energy source selectively communicable with the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element; and

a controller configured to determine which stimulation electrodes of the array of stimulation electrodes optimize efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal based on measurements from the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element.

6. The muscle stimulation system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to adapt parameters of the electrical stimulation signal based on the measurements from the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element.

7. The muscle stimulation system of claim 6 , adapting parameters of the electrical stimulation signal comprises adapting at least one of a stimulation waveform, an energy level, or a stimulation frequency of an electrical single applied to at least one of the stimulation electrodes.

8. The muscle stimulation system of claim 5 , wherein determining the stimulation electrodes that optimize the efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal comprises selecting a subset of the array of stimulation electrodes and stimulating the target muscle with only the subset of the array of stimulation electrodes.

9. The muscle stimulation system of claim 5 , wherein the array of stimulation electrodes are supported on an electrode substrate.

10. The muscle stimulation system of claim 9 , wherein the sensing element is supported on the electrode substrate.

11. A method of electrically stimulating a target muscle of a patient, the method comprising:

placing an array of stimulation electrodes on a patient's skin in electrical contact with the target muscle;

applying an electrical stimulation signal to the array of stimulation electrodes;

obtaining a signal from a sensing element placed on the patient's skin, wherein the signal characterizes at least one biological parameter associated with contraction of the target muscle; and

determining which stimulation electrodes of the array of stimulation electrodes optimize efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal based on measurements from the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element, wherein determining the stimulation electrodes that optimize the efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal comprises selecting a subset of the array of stimulation electrodes and stimulating the target muscle with only the subset of the array of stimulation electrodes.

12. A muscle stimulation system comprising:

an array of stimulation electrodes adapted to be placed on a patient's skin in electrical contact with a target muscle of a patient, the array of stimulation electrodes configured to receive an electrical stimulation signal;

a sensing element adapted to be placed on the patient's skin, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect at least one biological parameter associated with contraction of the target muscle;

an electrical stimulation energy source selectively communicable with the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element; and

a controller configured to determine which stimulation electrodes of the array of stimulation electrodes optimize efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal based on measurements from the array of stimulation electrodes and the sensing element, wherein determining the stimulation electrodes that optimize the efficacy of the electrical stimulation signal comprises selecting a subset of the array of stimulation electrodes and stimulating the target muscle with only the subset of the array of stimulation electrodes.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2021
From: FAHEY, BRIAN J.
To: NIVEUS MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 056101/0775 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2021
From: NIVEUS MEDICAL, INC.
To: SAGE PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 056101/0907 →
Continuity (11)
Continuation 16417524 · May 20, 2019
Continuation 15091494 · Apr 5, 2016
Continuation 14532595 · Nov 4, 2014
Division 13647249 · Oct 8, 2012
Continuation In Part 12497230 · Jul 2, 2009
Provisional Application 61544113 · Oct 6, 2011
Provisional Application 61201877 · Dec 15, 2008
Provisional Application 61190602 · Aug 29, 2008
Provisional Application 61189558 · Aug 19, 2008
Provisional Application 61133777 · Jul 2, 2008
Related Publication 20210244943A1 · Aug 12, 2021
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