174 results about "Muscle Stimulation" patented technology

An apparatus and method for reducing wrinkles in the skin tissue of a patient. The method includes detecting a nerve. The nerve can be detected by inserting an electrode into the skin tissue, delivering a current and then observing any stimulation of muscle tissue. The process of inserting the electrode, delivering current and detecting muscle stimulation may be repeated at a plurality of different skin location to trace the nerve. Once the nerve is traced, the electrode can be inserted into the skin at various locations, either at or adjacent to the nerve, and deliver energy into the tissue at a level sufficient to disrupt interaction between the nerve and the adjacent muscle. Once the nerve/muscle interaction is disrupted the muscle will be relaxed and the wrinkle(s) will either be removed or reduced.

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain are provided, in which an implantable stimulator is configured to communicate with an external control system, the implantable stimulator providing a neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy designed to cause muscle contraction to rehabilitate the muscle, restore neural drive and restore spinal stability; the implantable stimulator further including one or more of a number of additional therapeutic modalities, including a module that provides analgesic stimulation; a module that monitors muscle performance and adjusts the muscle stimulation regime; and/or a module that provides longer term pain relief by selectively and repeatedly ablating nerve fibers. In an alternative embodiment, a standalone implantable RF ablation system is described.

The invention provides systems and methods for neuromuscular electrical stimulation to muscle tissue. Stimulation electrodes and sensors may be provided, such that signals provided by the sensors may affect the signals provided to the stimulation electrodes, thus providing a feedback. Stimulation electrodes may be provided on a stimulation pad and sensors may be provided on a sensing pad, which may be designed to conform to an anatomical feature. A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation may also include temperature sensitive elements that may help prevent burns, especially for comatose, sedated, or patients in critical condition. The system may also include a cooling assembly for a stimulation pad.

A universal closed-loop functional electrical stimulation system comprising at least one electrode assembly adapted to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, or muscles of a user, a sensor system adapted to detect a mechanical response to a muscle stimulation signal of at least one muscle associated with a muscle group stimulated through the nervous system or proximate to the electrode assembly. An electrical stimulation device operably coupled to at least one electrode assembly and the sensor system, the electrical stimulation device including a control system to automatically receive feedback from at least one characteristic of the muscle from the detected muscle response and adjust at least one parameter of the muscle stimulation signal in real-time and in response thereto and a programmed microprocessor for controlling said electrical stimulation and receiving input from said sensor system.

Methods and apparatus for testing of the efficacy of therapeutic stimulation of pelvic nerves or musculature to alleviate one of incontinence or sexual dysfunction are disclosed. A therapy delivery device is operable in a therapy delivery mode and a test mode and an evoked response detector is employed in the test mode to detect the evoked response to applied test stimuli. The test stimuli parameters of the test stimulation regimen are adjusted prior to delivery of each test stimulation regimen, and the evoked responses to the applied test stimulation regimens are compared to ascertain an optimal test stimulation regimen. The therapy stimulation regimen parameters are selected as a function of the test electrical stimulation parameters causing the optimal evoked response.

A programming system for controlling and/or altering an implantable device's operation using externally applied magnetic means, e.g., a permanent magnet or the like. Typically, such devices stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or block pain or muscle stimulation according to programmable settings, e.g., the amplitude, duration, frequency/repetition rates, etc., of stimulation pulses applied to the neural pathways/muscles. Preferably, once programmed from an external programmer, such implantable devices can operate “independently” using the externally provided programmed information. However, external programmers may be unavailable due to cost, size, or other constraints. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a magnetic sensor, preferably a magnetoresistive, Hall effect, saturated core reactors, or the like, to sense an externally provided magnetic field. By externally applying magnetic fields in sequences of controlled polarities, durations, intensities, etc., and sensing these sequences and transitions, the operation of the implantable device may be altered, i.e., programmed.

Non-surgical treatments for idiopathic scoliosis include muscle stimulation therapy, chiropractic care, and the application of a variety of braces (orthotics). Surgical intervention frequently employs rigid metallic braces that prevent further flexing of the spine where applied. This invention allows flexing of the spine with long term correction of the scoliosis by application of small variable forces to supplant and counter the unbalance of the pertinent muscles. This invention may be applied to other spine problems in addition to idiopathic scoliosis as this invention permits and accommodates flexing of the spine and simultaneously supplies correcting and straightening forces.

A device for administrating electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) includes a flexible covering having a plurality of spaced apart electrodes (22). In a preferred embodiment the flexible covering is shaped like a belt (24) and is designed to encircle and be connected around a portion of a patient's body (506). The belt is fabricated from an elastic material so that the electrodes are pressed against the skin of the patient to promote better electrical conduction. The electrodes are selectively positionable to different locations on the belt, so they may be placed directly over a selected muscle or muscle group. Each electrode has its own individual control (32) for adjusting the level of the electrical stimulation signal, so that (1) different muscles can receive different levels of stimulation, and (2) the level of stimulation may be changed during the course of treatment. A master adjustment control (504) is used to adjust the stimulation signal level applied to all the electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, the individual adjustment controls are located adjacent their respective electrodes on the belt. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible covering (423) is folded to form a pocket, and a sponge assembly (425) is removably inserted into the pocket. The sponge assembly has a plurality of replaceable sponges (429).

The present invention teaches a method and apparatus for physiological modulation, including neural and gastrointestinal modulation, for the purposes of treating several disorders, including obesity, depression, epilepsy, and diabetes. This includes chronically implanted neural and neuromuscular modulators, used to modulate the afferent neurons of the sympathetic nervous system to induce satiety. Furthermore, this includes neuromuscular stimulation of the stomach to effect baseline and intermittent smooth muscle contraction to increase gastric intraluminal pressure, which induces satiety, and stimulate sympathetic afferent fibers, including those in the sympathetic trunk, splanchnic nerves, and greater curvature of the stomach, to augment the perception of satiety.

A full-body charger for charging one or more battery-powered devices wherein such devices are configured for implanting beneath a patient's skin for the purpose of tissue, e.g., nerve or muscle, stimulation and/or parameter monitoring and/or data communication. Devices in accordance with the invention include a support structure, typically chair-shaped or bed-shaped, capable of supporting a patient's body while providing a magnetic field to one or more of the implanted devices using one or more coils mounted within for providing power to the implanted devices. Consequently, in a preferred embodiment, a single, generally sequential, charging cycle can charge all of the implanted devices and thus minimize the charge time requirements for a patient and accordingly improve the patient's life style.

NMES systems and methods for stimulating muscle tissue, and in some embodiments deep muscle tissue. The impedance near the surface of the skin is controllably increased to increase the percentage of energy delivered to a subject that stimulates muscle tissue.

An improved electrode for neural stimulation, including deep brain stimulation, cortical stimulation, muscle stimulation and other similar applications. The improvement of our invention over prior art consisting of the possibility of a larger number of electrode pads from where to originate the electrical stimulation, thereby offering the possibility of fine control of the location of the stimulating signal. Our invention discloses a system of address wires which controls switches and demultiplexers to select one of a plurality of wires and one of a plurality of electrode pads from where the electric stimulation starts, and latches that maintain some selected choices after the address buses go on to select other wires and other electrode tips. Our invention also discloses time delay lines which are used to keep the stimulating pulses for a pre-assigned time, after which the stimulating pulses stop until further instruction to start again.

A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O₂ content, physical position, electrical potential, etc., that operate under control of a system controller that coordinates the sequential stimulation via wireless commands to the implanted devices.

A magnetic control system for selectively enabling/disabling an implantable device's operation using externally applied pulsed magnetic means, e.g., a controlled electromagnet or the like. Typically, such implantable devices stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or block pain or muscle stimulation according to programmable settings. Preferably, once programmed from an external programmer, such implantable devices can operate “independently” using the externally provided programmed information. However, in certain circumstances, it may be desired to stop/pause the operation of such selected implanted device while not affecting other such devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a magnetic sensor, preferably a magnetoresistive, Hall effect, saturated core reactors, or the like, to sense an externally provided magnetic field. By externally applying pulsed magnetic fields in sequences of controlled polarities, durations, intensities, etc., and sensing these identifiable sequences and transitions, the operation of the implantable device may be enabled/disabled.

A multi-functional portable electro-medical device that is capable of providing muscle stimulation and interferential current stimulation. The multi-functional portable electro-medical device includes a multitude of safety features which are designed to prevent injury to the user while at the same time to ensure that the portable power electro-medical device is easy to use. The portable electro-medical device can be programmed to impart any combination of wave therapy to the patient.

The invention provides systems and methods for neuromuscular electrical stimulation to muscle tissue. Stimulation electrodes may be provided on a stimulation pad, configured to provide electrical stimulation to a target tissue. A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation may also include pressure generating mechanisms that may provide a compressive force to a region with the target tissue, thereby removing some excess third space fluid from the region.

The present invention relates to a method of treating a movement disorder in a patient, the method comprising administering a medicament comprising an effective amount of chemodenervating agent to the patient, wherein the patient is subjected to a muscle stimulation therapy, for example an movement therapy or an muscle activation therapy, and the medicament is administered prior to and/or during and/or after the movement therapy and a kit for the treatment of patients suffering from movement disorders comprising a medicament comprising an effective amount of a chemodenervating agent, and a device for carrying out automated movement therapy.

A garment with prepositioned, definite sensory stimulating devices attached. These sensory stimulating devices include, but are not limited to, electrical stimulation, audio and physical stimulation such as localised force generation, compression, constriction, vibration, and surround sound. Predetermined and defined actuators allow the wearer to receive tissue, nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or contraction so that the stimulation is precise as determined by its ability to conform to the scientific methodology of repeatability, reproducibility and reliability; this being due to consistency of actuator positioning in one or multiple locals on the human body. A personal surround sound can also be integrated to the garment to ensure the wearer is always in the optimal position relative the speakers. These actuators can be force generators within the garment for the wearer to feel impact or apparatus or electrodes included in the garment to locally constrict and increase pressure on the wearer.

A device for muscle stimulation, including: two exoskeletal shells, each including an outer member including an at least semi-rigid material, the shells being configured to at least partly, surround a limb portion of a user, and kinematic connection means connecting the shells and providing the shells with at least one degree of freedom in translation, so as to enable the shells to move in a substantially linear movement with respect to each other.

The electroporation system and method combine pulses having different characteristics for delivering molecules to cells in vivo. The pulses include a high-intensity pulse for inducing electroporation and a low-intensity pulse to induce electrophoretic molecule movement within an interstitial space, molecule adherence to a cell membrane, and electrophoretic movement of the molecule through the permeabilized membrane. The use of a high-intensity and a low-intensity pulse achieves improved delivery; reduction of intensity and/or duration of pulses for inducing electroporation; and decreased muscle stimulation, tissue damage, and patient discomfort.