US4926880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion utilizing microcurrents
Assignee: MICRO-STIM Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-08
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Granted: 1990-05-22
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Expires: 2008-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for the relieving of sinus congestion by application of microcurrents to the facial areas of a human patient. The apparatus includes a carrying case adapted to be held by one hand of the patient, a power source, an oscillator connected to the power source and a voltage excursion generator. A current limiter limits the net current offset to microcurrent excursions. The apparatus further includes a probe connected to the circuitry for generating microcurrent excursions. The probe has a first electrode adapted to be placed in contact with the facial area of the patient for supplying microcurrents to the patient's sinus area, and a second electrode insulated from the first electrode. The second electrode has a conducting surface adapted to be engaged by the patient's other hand establishing an electrical circuit for microcurrent flowing through the nasal and sinus area. The apparatus further includes a sensor for sensing bodily impedance, and a visual indication that informs and directs the patient to move the probe from facial areas of high tissue impedance to facial areas of low tissue impedance.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Claude
- 👤 Stephen L. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion, the method comprising the steps of: generating periodically repeating microcurrent excursions; applying said microcurrent excursions to a patient's face adjacent the patient'nasal area; and generating a perceptible signal when said microcurrent excursions are being applied to a low impedance region of said patient's face; whereby, when said microcurrent excursions are applied to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the nasal area, said microcurrent excursions relieve the patient's sinus and nasal congestion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion, the method comprising the steps of: generating periodically repeating microcurrent excursions; applying said microcurrent excursions to a patient's face adjacent the patient'nasal area; and generating a perceptible signal when said microcurrent excursions are being applied to a low impedance region of said patient's face; whereby, when said microcurrent excursions are applied to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the nasal area, said microcurrent excursions relieve the patient's sinus and nasal congestion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first generating step includes the step of generating alternating positive and negative microcurrent excursions having a frequency in the range of 10 to 50 hertz and having a net current of approximately zero amperes, each said microcurrent excursion having an amplitude in the range of 0 to 500 microamperes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first generating step includes the step of generating alternating positive and negative microcurrent excursions having a frequency in the range of 10 to 50 hertz and having a net current of approximately zero amperes, each said microcurrent excursion having an amplitude in the range of 100 to 300 microamperes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating a perceptible signal further comprises the steps of: measuring the impedance encountered by said microcurrent excursions, comparing said measured impedance to a predetermined threshold impedance value, and generating a perceptible signal when said measured impedance is less than said predetermined threshold impedance value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said perceptible signal comprises an audible signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of generating a perceptible signal further includes generating a visible signal of a predetermined color.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said step of generating a perceptible signal further includes the step of generating a second, distinct perceptible signal when said measured impedance is more than said predetermined threshold impedance value; whereby said patient is formed by said second distinct perceptible signal that said microcurrents should be applied to a different region of said patient's face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said predetermined threshold value is selectively adjusted to compensate for variations of skin impedance measurements.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hand held probe having first and second electrodes, said second electrode being positioned to be in contact with the patient's hand while holding said probe; generating periodically repeating microcurrent excursions; supplying said microcurrent excursions to said first electrode of said hand held probe; contacting said first electrode of said hand held probe to said patient's face adjacent the nasal region; applying said microcurrent excursion to a patient'face adjacent the patient's nasal area; and generating a perceptible signal when said microcurrent excursions are being applied to a low impedance region of said patient's face; whereby said microcurrent excursions propagate through the patient's nasal area, body and bend holding said probe to said second electrode to complete an electrical circuit, and when said microcurrent excursions are applied to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the nasal area, said microcurrent excursions relieve the patient's sinus and nasal congestion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hand held probe having first and second electrodes, said second electrode being positioned to be in contact with the patient's hand while holding said probe; generating periodically repeating microcurrent excursions; supplying said microcurrent excursions to said first electrode of said hand held probe; contacting said first electrode of said hand held probe to said patient's face adjacent the nasal region; applying said microcurrent excursion to a patient'face adjacent the patient's nasal area; and generating a perceptible signal when said microcurrent excursions are being applied to a low impedance region of said patient's face; whereby said microcurrent excursions propagate through the patient's nasal area, body and bend holding said probe to said second electrode to complete an electrical circuit, and when said microcurrent excursions are applied to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the nasal area, said microcurrent excursions relieve the patient's sinus and nasal congestion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said applying step further comprises the steps of: moving said probe over the region of the patient's face adjacent the nasal area until said perceptible signal is generated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of generating a perceptible signal further comprises the steps of: measuring the impedance encountered by said microcurrent excursions, comparing said measured impedance to a predetermined threshold impedance value, and generating a perceptible signal when said measured impedance is less than said predetermined threshold impedance value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said perceptible signal comprises an audible signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step of generating a perceptible signal further includes generating a visible signal of a predetermined color.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step of generating a perceptible signal further includes the step of generating a second, distinct perceptible signal when said measured impedance is more than said predetermined threshold impedance value; whereby said patient is informed by said second distinct perceptible signal that said microcurrents should be applied to a different region of said patient's face.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said predetermined threshold value is selectively adjusted to compensate for variations of skin impedance measurements.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion, the method comprising the steps of: generating periodically repeating microcurrent excursions; and applying said microcurrent excursions to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the patient's nasal area; whereby, when said microcurrent excursions are applied to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the nasal area, said microcurrent excursions relieve the patient's sinus and nasal congestion.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for relieving sinus and nasal congestion, the method comprising the steps of: generating periodically repeating microcurrent excursions; and applying said microcurrent excursions to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the patient's nasal area; whereby, when said microcurrent excursions are applied to low impedance regions of a patient's face adjacent the nasal area, said microcurrent excursions relieve the patient's sinus and nasal congestion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said generating step includes the step of generating alternating positive and negative microcurrent excursions having a frequency in the range of 10 to 50 hertz and having a net current of approximately zero amperes, each said microcurrent excursion having an amplitude in the range of 100 to 300 microamperes.
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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) | 1993-05-21 | 1993-11-20 | 1994-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-21 | 1997-11-20 | 1998-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-21 | 2001-11-20 | 2002-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |