EP0057561A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Muscle stimulating apparatus
Assignee: Bio Medical Research Ltd
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Filing: 1982-01-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Multiple output muscle stimulating apparatus includes a source (1) of electrical signals which are sequentially applied by a time division multiplexer (9, 15-18) to multiple electrode pairs (W-Z) adapted to be connected adjacent to the skin of a patient to stimulate the underlying muscles. The multiplexer prevents more than one electrode pair from being energized by the stimulating signals at any given time. A common return path (19) for the signals applied to each of the electrode pairs is provided with a current limiting device (20) for enhancement of safety.
Inventors
- 👤 Clive Royston Matthews
- 👤 Michael Martin Quinlan
- 👤 Maurice Gerard O'connor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/3603; A61N1/36034; A61N1/36003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
Muscle stimulating apparatus comprising: a source of electrical signals; a plurality of electrodes adapted to be applied adjacent respective locations on the skin of a person to stimulate underlying muscles; and means for energizing said electrodes in response to said electrical signals, the arrangement being such that the signals are applied across the electrodes a pair at a time in a predetermined time sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
Muscle stimulating apparatus comprising: a source of electrical signals; a plurality of electrodes adapted to be applied adjacent respective locations on the skin of a person to stimulate underlying muscles; and means for energizing said electrodes in response to said electrical signals, the arrangement being such that the signals are applied across the electrodes a pair at a time in a predetermined time sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said energizing means comprises a time division multiplexer having an input operatively connected to said source of electrical signals, and a plurality of Outputs respectively operatively connected to said electrodes for sequentially energizing said electrodes one pair at a time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said multiplexer comprises a plurality of switches or corresponding circuits in one-to-one relation with said outputs, and means for sequentially actuating said switches or circuits in response to the occurrence of said electrical signals thereby causing said electrical signals to energize each electrode pair as the switch corresponding to its respective multiplexer output is actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said switches comprises.a light sensitive switching element connected in circuit between said source of electrical signals and a respective one of said electrode pairs, and a light source which is operatively connected to said source of electrical signals and energized in response to said electrical signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrodes are arranged in pairs, there being a "line" electrode and a "return" electrode in each pair and the return electrodes of the pair being electrically connected together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including current limiting means for limiting the current flowing through the user's body to below a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claims 5 and 6 wherein there is a common return circuit path connected between said source of electrical signals and the return electrodes and the current limiting means is connected in said common return circuit path for maintaining the current between the electrodes of each of said electrode pairs below a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said source of electrical signals comprises a pulse generator, and said energizing means comprises a pulse counter having an input connected to said pulse generator and a plurality of outputs, and a plurality of switches each of which is operatively connected between a respective one of the outputs of said pulse counter and one of said electrode pairs, each of said switches being actuated in response to the signal at its respective pulse counter output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Muscle stimulating apparatus constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Muscle stimulating apparatus constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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DE2437346A1
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EP0000477A1
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FR2433950A1
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