US3848608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subject integument spatial stimulator
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1973-07-23
•
Granted: 1974-11-19
•
Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A cutaneous stimulator includes a plurality of pairs of first and second immediately adjacent, noncontinguous contacts, the plurality of said first contacts being arranged in columns and the plurality of said second contacts being arranged in rows, each of the contacts in each respective column being interconnected and each of the contacts in each respective row being interconnected, and means for energizing selected columns and rows, whereby the respective pairs of contacts at the respective intersections of said columns and rows are adapted to cutaneously stimulate a subject.
Inventors
- 👤 C Leonard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/0404; A61N1/0472; A61N1/0476; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A cutaneous stimulator comprising: a plurality of pairs of first and second immediately adjacent, noncontiguous contacts, the plurality of said first contacts being arranged in columns, and the plurality of said second contacts being arranged in rows, each of said contacts on each respective column being interconnected, and each of said contacts in each respective row being interconnected; a ground plane contact means immediately adjacent and noncontiguous to each of said first and second contacts; means for energizing a selected column and a selected row including first means for providing a first electrical potential between the selected column and said ground plane contact means which is less than the cutaneous breakdown threshold potential, second means for providing a second electrical potential between the selected row and said ground plane contact means which is less than the cutaneous breakdown threshold potential, the sum of said first and second electrical potentials between said selected column and row being greater than the cutaneous breakdown threshold potential.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A cutaneous stimulator comprising: a plurality of pairs of first and second immediately adjacent, noncontiguous contacts, the plurality of said first contacts being arranged in columns, and the plurality of said second contacts being arranged in rows, each of said contacts on each respective column being interconnected, and each of said contacts in each respective row being interconnected; a ground plane contact means immediately adjacent and noncontiguous to each of said first and second contacts; means for energizing a selected column and a selected row including first means for providing a first electrical potential between the selected column and said ground plane contact means which is less than the cutaneous breakdown threshold potential, second means for providing a second electrical potential between the selected row and said ground plane contact means which is less than the cutaneous breakdown threshold potential, the sum of said first and second electrical potentials between said selected column and row being greater than the cutaneous breakdown threshold potential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A stimulator according to claim 1 wherein: each of said plurality of first contacts, and each of said plurality of second contacts, has substantially the same cutaneous contact area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A stimulator according to claim 1 wherein: each of said plurality of first contacts, and each of said plurality of second contacts, is substantially semi-circular in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stimulator according to claim 3 wherein: each of said contacts includes a convex surface for cutaneous contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A stimulator according to claim 1 wherein: said first contacts, said second contacts and said ground plane contact means are all formed of conducting material disposed on one side of a sheet of insulating material, and interconnection between contacts are all formed of conducting material disposed on the other side of said sheet of insulating material and connected therethrough to the respective contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stimulator according to claim 5 wherein: said contacts and said interconnection are respectively made of flexible foil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |