Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical therapeutic systems
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-10
2004-04-27
Evanisko, George R. (Department: 3762)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical therapeutic systems
C607S148000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06728577
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for attaching electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles by electrotherapy, and the invention also relates to a device for stimulating abdominal muscles by electrotherapy. The invention further relates to an electrotherapeutic method for stimulating abdominal muscles, and to a fastener for use in the device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrotherapy is commonly used for stimulating abdominal muscles for improving and toning the muscles, and for the relief of pain. Known electrotherapeutic methods and devices require that a pulsed signal be passed subcutaneously through the subject between a pair of electrodes which typically, are aligned with the muscle to be stimulated for defining a current path between the electrode which is co-linear with the direction of the muscle. In known electrotherapeutic devices and methods, it is necessary to provide a relatively large number of electrode pairs for stimulating the more important abdominal muscles, for example, the central rectus abdominis muscle, and the transversalis and oblique muscles. Typically, one or two pairs of electrodes are required located on respective opposite sides of the umbilicus for stimulating the rectus abdominis muscle, and two obliquely located electrode pairs are required towards the respective sides of the abdominal region for stimulating the transversalis and oblique muscles on the respective sides of the abdomen. Thus, in order to stimulate the rectus abdominis muscle, the transversalis and oblique muscles, three to four electrode pairs are required. This, leads to a number of disadvantages, in that firstly, unless extreme care is taken in locating the electrodes on the abdomen of the subject some or all of the electrodes can readily easily be misaligned with the respective musdes or displaced therefrom, thus, leading to significant inefficiencies and indeed in extreme cases ineffectual treatment. Secondly, because of the high number of electrode pairs, a relatively complex signal generator is required for providing appropriately pulsed signals so that the pulsed signals only travel between the respective pairs between which the pulsed signals are to travel subcutaneously in the subject. Thirdly, in many cases there is a danger of transthoracic current paths being defined by the electrodes, which in certain cases can lead to transthoracic currents within the subject, which in extreme cases may cause cardiac arrhythmias. The possibility of misalignment of the electrode pairs further increases the risk of transthoracic currents being passed through the subject.
There is therefore a need for a device for attaching electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles and in particular for stimulating the rectus abdominis, the transversalis and the oblique muscles, which overcomes these problems. There is also a need for an electrotherapeutic device and a method for stimulating abdominal muscles which overcomes these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards providing such a device for attaching electrodes to a subject, such an electrotherapeutic device and method for stimulating abdominal muscles of a subject. The invention is also directed towards providing a fastener for use in the device.
According to the invention there is provided a device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject, the device comprising an attachment means for extending around the torso of the subject, wherein a main locating means is provided on the attachment means for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject, and two secondary locating means are provided on the attachment means disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating means for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode in a general direction towards a corresponding one of the left and right mid-axillary lines of the torso intermediate the rib cage and corresponding left and right iliac crests so that by applying at least one pulsed signal to the subject through the respective central and side electrodes abdominal muscles of the subject are stimulated.
In one embodiment of the invention the secondary locating means are disposed on the attachment means for locating the respective side electrodes towards the mid-point of the corresponding mid-axillary line between the rib cage and the corresponding iliac crest. Preferably, the secondary locating means are disposed on the attachment means for locating the respective side electrodes adjacent the corresponding mid-axillary line.
Ideally, the secondary locating means are disposed on the attachment means for locating the respective side electrodes adjacent the mid-point of the corresponding mid-axillary line between the rib cage and the corresponding iliac crest.
Preferably, the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode on the umbilicus and extending around the umbilicus. Advantageously, the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode on the umbilicus and extending completely around the umbilicus.
In one embodiment of the invention the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode on the umbilicus, but with a greater area of the central electrode located below the umbilicus than above the umbilicus.
In another embodiment of the invention the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode adjacent but not on the umbilicus.
In a further embodiment of the invention the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode below the umbilicus.
In a still further embodiment of the invention the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode above the umbilicus.
In a further embodiment of the invention the main locating means is disposed on the attachment means for locating the central electrode both below and above the umbilicus.
In one embodiment of the invention a reference means is provided on the attachment means for locating the attachment means on the torso relative to an anatomical reference. Preferably, the reference means is provided for locating the attachment means circumferentially around the torso. Advantageously, the reference means is provided for locating the attachment means vertically along the torso.
In one embodiment of the invention the main locating means acts as the reference means for locating the attachment means relative to the anatomical reference provided by the umbilicus.
In another embodiment of the invention the main locating means comprises a first main locating means and a second main locating means for locating respective corresponding first and second central electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject.
Advantageously, the first main locating means is provided for locating the first central electrode above the umbilicus, and the second main locating means is provided for locating the second central electrode below the umbilicus.
In another embodiment of the invention two sets of at least two secondary locating means are disposed on the respective opposite sides of the main locating means for facilitating selective location of the respective side electrodes for accommodating different girths of torso.
Advantageously, each set of secondary locating means comprises three secondary locating means.
In another embodiment of the invention portions of the attachment means on respective opposite sides of the main locating means between the main locating means and the corresponding secondary locating means are of resilient material for facilitating resilient stretching of the attachment means between the main and corresponding secondary locating means. Preferably, the attachment means is of a resil
Crowe Michael Louis
Minogue Michael Conor
Bio-Medical Research Ltd.
Evanisko George R.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Kessler Gordon M.
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