US4233986A
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US
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Apparatus and method for controlling pain by transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES)
Assignee: AGAR GINOSAR ELECTRONICS AND METAL PRODUCTS
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Filing: 1978-07-18
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1998-07-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are described for controlling pain by transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES), the apparatus comprising a pulse generator for generating periodic electrical pulses, skin electrodes coupled to the pulse generator and adapted to be placed in contact with the skin of the patient for applying the pulses thereto, and a pulse-width modulator for modulating the width of the pulses applied by the electrodes to the patient's skin. The skin electrodes include a survey electrode having a handle for moving it over the surface of the skin to locate the relevant nerve. The pulses applied are unsymmetrical, nearly square-shape, bipolar current pulses width-modulated 25-50% per period of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Tannenbaum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for controlling pain in a patient by transcutaneous electrical stimulation comprising: a pulse generator for continuously generating periodic electrical pulses of a width of from 68 to 740 microseconds, and a voltage of from 60 to 150 volts; external electrode means including at least a pair of skin electrodes coupled to said pulse generator and adapted to be placed in contact with the skin of the patient for applying said pulses thereto; and a pulse-width modulator for modulating the width of the pulses generated by said generator and applied by said electrodes to the patient's skin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for controlling pain in a patient by transcutaneous electrical stimulation comprising: a pulse generator for continuously generating periodic electrical pulses of a width of from 68 to 740 microseconds, and a voltage of from 60 to 150 volts; external electrode means including at least a pair of skin electrodes coupled to said pulse generator and adapted to be placed in contact with the skin of the patient for applying said pulses thereto; and a pulse-width modulator for modulating the width of the pulses generated by said generator and applied by said electrodes to the patient's skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pulse generator generates said pulses at a frequency of 50-150 Hz, and wherein said pulse-width modulator modulates the pulse width 25-50% per period of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said frequency is about 90 Hz, said pulse width is about 500 microseconds, said voltage is about 90 volts, said modulation is about 25%, and said modulation period is about 0.2 seconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including a Mode switch for selectively disabling and enabling said pulse-width modulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pulse generator includes a constant current amplifier having an output impedance many times higher than the interface resistance of said skin electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pulses generated by said pulse generator are unsymmetrical, nearly square-shape, bipolar current pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pulse generator includes a first oscillator for generating pulses at a fixed frequency and width, and a one-shot monostable multivibrator connected to receive said pulses from the first oscillator and producing output pulses at the frequency thereof, and wherein said pulse width modulator comprises a second oscillator generating further pulses applied to said one-shot monostable multivibrator and effective to modulate the width of said output pulses thereof in accordance with the frequency of the second oscillator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for controlling pain in a patient by transcutaneous electrical stimulation comprising the steps of continuously generating width-modulated pulses and continuously applying same to the skin of the patient via a pair of skin electrodes placed in contact with the skin of the patient, said width-modulated pulses being applied of a width of from 68 to 740 microseconds and a voltage of from 60 to 150 volts.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for controlling pain in a patient by transcutaneous electrical stimulation comprising the steps of continuously generating width-modulated pulses and continuously applying same to the skin of the patient via a pair of skin electrodes placed in contact with the skin of the patient, said width-modulated pulses being applied of a width of from 68 to 740 microseconds and a voltage of from 60 to 150 volts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein said pulse-width-modulated pulses are applied at a frequency of 50-150 Hz, and are modulated 25-50% per period of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the pulses applied to the skin are unsymmetrical, nearly square-shape, bipolar current pulses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |