Method and apparatus for transdermal stimulation over the palmar and plantar surfaces
The disclosure describes devices and methods for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy to a subject including positioning a stimulator electrode over a glabrous skin surface overlying a palm of the subject and delivering electrical stimulation via a pulse generator transdermally through the glabrous skin surface and to a target nerve or tissue within the hand to stimulate the target nerve or tissue within the hand so that pain felt by the subject is mitigated. The pulses generated during the electrical stimulation therapy may include pulses of two different magnitudes.
1. A method of treating overactive bladder or incontinence, comprising:
non-invasively positioning a first portion of a patient's body near an ankle relative to an electrical stimulator such that a posterior tibial nerve within the first portion of the body is directly targeted by the electrical stimulator;
passing a current through the electrical stimulator; and
delivering an electrical stimulus from the electrical stimulator to the posterior tibial nerve such that the posterior tibial nerve directly receives the electrical stimulation to treat overactive bladder or incontinence.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein non-invasively positioning comprises positioning an electrode patch in communication with the electrical stimulator near an ankle of the patient.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction or stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the electrical stimulus comprises activating the electrical stimulator for a duration of about 30 minutes per week to treat the patient.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying physiological parameters detected from the patient.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode migration from the first portion.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode malfunction from the first portion.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of proper electrode placement upon the first portion.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction through tissue at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode placement upon the first portion.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction through tissue comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
14. A method of treating overactive bladder or incontinence, comprising:
non-invasively positioning a first portion of a patient's body near an ankle relative to an electrical stimulator positioned within a sock worn upon a foot of the patient such that a posterior tibial nerve within the first portion of the body is directly targeted by the electrical stimulator;
passing a current through the electrical stimulator; and
delivering an electrical stimulus from the electrical stimulator to the posterior tibial nerve such that the posterior tibial nerve directly receives the electrical stimulation to treat overactive bladder or incontinence.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein non-invasively positioning comprises positioning an electrode patch in communication with the electrical stimulator near an ankle of the patient.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction or stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein delivering the electrical stimulus comprises activating the electrical stimulator for a duration of about 30 minutes per week to treat the patient.
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising displaying physiological parameters detected from the patient.
19. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode migration from the first portion.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
21. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode malfunction from the first portion.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
23. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of proper electrode placement upon the first portion.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
25. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction through tissue at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode placement upon the first portion.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction through tissue comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
27. A method of treating overactive bladder or incontinence, comprising:
non-invasively positioning a first portion of a patient's body near an ankle relative to an electrical stimulator positioned upon a strap which is secured over a foot of the patient such that a posterior tibial nerve within the first portion of the body is directly targeted by the electrical stimulator;
passing a current through the electrical stimulator; and
delivering an electrical stimulus from the electrical stimulator to the posterior tibial nerve such that the posterior tibial nerve directly receives the electrical stimulation to treat overactive bladder or incontinence.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein non-invasively positioning comprises positioning an electrode patch in communication with the electrical stimulator near an ankle of the patient.
29. The method of claim 27 further comprising detecting a muscular response caused by an electrical conduction or stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein delivering the electrical stimulus comprises activating the electrical stimulator for a duration of about 30 minutes per week to treat the patient.
31. The method of claim 27 further comprising displaying physiological parameters detected from the patient.
32. The method of claim 27 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode migration from the first portion.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
34. The method of claim 27 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode malfunction from the first portion.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
36. The method of claim 27 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of proper electrode placement upon the first portion.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.
38. The method of claim 27 further comprising detecting for a lack of presence of electrical conduction through tissue at a second portion of the patient's body distant from the first portion as an indicator of electrode placement upon the first portion.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein detecting for the presence of electrical conduction through tissue comprises detecting via an electrode patch positioned upon the second portion.