Portable assemblies, systems and methods for providing functional or therapeutic neuromuscular stimulation

a neuromuscular and portable technology, applied in the field of system and method for providing neuromuscular stimulation, can solve the problems of large size, difficult manipulation and transportation, and many quality of life issues, and achieve the effect of simplifying the power demand of the electronics pod

US20080154335A1Inactive Publication Date: 2008-06-26NDI MEDICAL LLC - CHARTER NO 1766209
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2008-06-26
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin outside the body. Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a steerable introducer that defines an interior lumen sized and configured to shield a percutaneous electrode from contact with tissue during advancement to a desired position within tissue.
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Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 056,591, filed 11 Feb. 2005, and entitled “Portable Assemblies, Systems and Methods for Providing Functional or Therapeutic Neuromuscular Stimulation,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 551,945, filed Mar. 10, 2004, and entitled “Steerable Introducer for a Percutaneous Electrode Usable in Association with Portable Percutaneous Assemblies, Systems and Methods for Providing Highly Selective Functional or Therapeutic Neuromuscular Stimulation,” and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 599,193, filed Aug. 5, 2004, and entitled “Implantable Pulse Generator for Providing Functional and / or Therapeutic Stimulation of Muscles and / or Nerves” which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 056,591 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No...

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Embodiment Construction

[0042]The various aspects of the invention will be described in connection with providing functional neuromuscular stimulation for prosthetic or therapeutic purposes. That is because the features and advantages that arise due to the invention are well suited to this purpose. Still, it should be appreciated that the various aspects of the invention can be applied to achieve other objectives as well.

[0043]I. Neuromuscular Stimulation assembly 10

[0044]A. Overview

[0045]FIG. 1 shows a neuromuscular stimulation assembly 10. As FIG. 2 shows, the neuromuscular stimulation assembly 10 is sized and configured so that, in use, it can be conveniently worn on a temporary basis on an external skin surface. By “temporary,” it is meant that the presence of the neuromuscular stimulation assembly 10 can be well tolerated without discomfort for a period of time from several hours to a month or two, after which the neuromuscular stimulation assembly 10 can be removed and discarded.

[0046]As FIG. 3 shows...