US4669480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature indicating electrotherapy electrode/coil and method of use
Assignee: Murray Electronics Associates LP
•
Filing: 1986-09-29
•
Granted: 1987-06-02
•
Expires: 2006-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for applying an electric or electromagnetic signal to the skin and tissue of a living body surface, and for measuring the physiological responses of the skin and tissue to the electric or electromagnetic signal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conductive patch electrode applicator, or coil applicator, a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer applied to said conductive patch, and an adhesive boundary extending at least part way about the edges of the electrode applicator or coil applicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent C. Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/0404; A61N1/0408; A61N1/0456; A61N1/0472; A61N1/0492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for applying an electromagnetic signal to the skin and tissue of a living subject, and for measuring the physiological responses of the skin and tissue to said electromagnetic signal, said apparatus comprising: an inductive coil attached to an electrical connection terminal; a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer affixed to said inductive coil; an adhesive boundary extending at least part way about the edges of said inductive coil.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for applying an electromagnetic signal to the skin and tissue of a living subject, and for measuring the physiological responses of the skin and tissue to said electromagnetic signal, said apparatus comprising: an inductive coil attached to an electrical connection terminal; a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer affixed to said inductive coil; an adhesive boundary extending at least part way about the edges of said inductive coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said adhesive boundary comprises an adhesive-backed flexible insulating sheet having said inductive coil with said liquid crystal layer applied thereon on one adhesive-coated side; and further including a release liner releasably attached to and covering the otherwise remaining exposed adhesive-backing of said sheet prior to its intended usage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising electrical snap-on terminals affixed to said inductive coil and extending through apertures in said sheet towards the other side of said sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said liquid crystal layer has a border with a fixed color-temperature reference scale imprinted thereon.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of electrotherapeutic treatment comprising the steps of: adhesively attaching a conductive patch having a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer affixed thereto to a surface of a living subject; imposing an electric current in the living subject via said conductive patch; visually monitoring said liquid crystal layer to detect and monitor the temperature of said conductive patch and thus to monitor the quality of the physiological link to said subject.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of electrotherapeutic treatment comprising the steps of: adhesively attaching a conductive patch having a temperature responsive liquid crystal layer affixed thereto to a surface of a living subject; imposing an electric current in the living subject via said conductive patch; visually monitoring said liquid crystal layer to detect and monitor the temperature of said conductive patch and thus to monitor the quality of the physiological link to said subject.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein said attaching step includes the step of attaching an inductive coil to said surface of a living subject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 5 further comprising the step of applying an electrode preparation between said conductive patch and the body surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3720209A
Cited
US3704625A
Cited
US3746000A
Cited
US4016761A
Cited
US3951133A
Cited
US3972329A
Cited
US4080959A
Cited
US4302971A
Cited
US4213463A
Cited
US4331161A
Cited
US4300575A
Cited
US4524087A
Cited
US4378808A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |