IP Library Granted Patent US 8,355,790
Granted Patent B2
US 8,355,790 · App. 12/301,464 · Granted Jan 15, 2013

Transcutaneous electrical therapeutic device

Inventors: Michael Naroditsky (Karmiel, IL); Hector Rotstein (Haifa, IL)
Assignee: Nervomatrix Ltd
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,355,790
App. No.
12/301,464
Granted
Jan 15, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto are disclosed. The apparatus includes patient applied therapeutic module, consisting of a fixture and a plurality of probes, and an actuating controlling module. The method including the steps of measuring local electrical impedances of a given skin surface area, identifying the points characterized by lower impedances, selecting the desired point/s and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto, said apparatus comprising:

a patient applied therapeutic module (PATM), said PATM comprising:

i. a plurality of probes, each of said probes extendable along a longitudinal axis thereof,

ii. a fixture arranged to secure said probes in at least one array, and further arranged to allow each of said probes to extend longitudinally up to a respective maximum length as a translational movement with respect to said fixture, said longitudinal extension of each of said probes being independent of the longitudinal extension translational movement and length of any other of said probes, and

an electronic circuitry comprising a signal generator and arranged to sense the impedance associated with each of said probes; and

an actuating controlling module (ACM) in communication with said electronic circuitry of said PATM, said ACM comprising:

i. a graphical user interface, and

ii. a memory storage medium;

wherein, said ACM is arranged to receive from said PATM said sensed impedance associated with each of said probes, store said received impedances on said memory storage medium and display, utilizing said graphical user interface, relative locations of active therapeutic points responsive to said stored received impedances.

2. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 1 , wherein said PATM is further arranged to provide transcutaneous electrical stimulation from said signal generator to each of said probes, independently from all other of said probes, responsive to said ACM.

3. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 1 , wherein said PATM further comprises a means for attaching said therapeutic module to a patient body.

4. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 1 , wherein the length of longitudinal extension of each of said probes is to a length sufficient such that a distal end of each of said probes physically adjoins a skin surface of a patient body and is in electrical contact with the patient skin surface to which it is physically adjoined.

5. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 4 further comprising an electrically conductive return pad arranged for physical attachment to the patient body.

6. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 1 , further comprising a resistor arranged in series with the signal generator during said sensing of the impedance, said PATM further comprising an input/output device arranged to measure an electrical property associated with the voltage drop across the resistor, the sensed impedance a function of the measured electrical property.

7. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 4 , wherein said distal ends of said probes have a structural characteristic selected from the group consisting of: a pointed tip, a sharp edge and a miniature needle.

8. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 4 , wherein said probes, at said distal ends, are further covered by a stratum of electrically conductive elastic material.

9. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 8 , wherein said stratum of electrically conductive elastic material comprises a hydrogel.

10. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 4 , wherein said probes, at said distal ends, are further furnished with cap-elements characterized by substantial electrical conductivity and elasticity.

11. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 10 , wherein said cap-elements each have a fastening portion and a contact site portion.

12. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 10 , wherein an array of said cap-elements are embedded in a detachable patch of protective layer in a predetermined arrangement pattern.

13. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 2 , further comprising a resistor arranged in series with the signal generator, said PATM further comprising an input/output device arranged to measure an electrical property associated with the voltage drop across said resistor during said impedance sensing and during said provided transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

14. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 4 , further comprising a resistor arranged in series with the signal generator, said PATM further comprising an input/output device arranged to measure an electrical property associated with the voltage drop across said resistor during said impedance sensing and during said provided transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

15. The apparatus for locating therapeutically active points and applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation thereto as in claim 1 , wherein each of said probes are urged to extend longitudinally merely due to gravitational force.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2010
From: NARODITSKY, MICHAEL; ROTSTEIN, HECTOR
To: NERVOMATRIX LTD
Reel/Frame 024744/0119 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60809299 · May 31, 2006
Related Publication 20090198305A1 · Aug 6, 2009