US5024236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoprobe assembly
Assignee: Advanced Medical Technology Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-05
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2008-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A relatively compact easily portable photoprobe assembly is disclosed which includes an electric probe for locating acupuncture points and a light emitting diode to stimulate acupuncture points as well as injury sites. The probe and light emitting diode are controlled by an internal circuit which operates to provide a visual indication of the precise location of the desired treatment area via an impedance variation procedure as well as to pulse the light emitting diode at the desired frequency. A power supply is also contained within the assembly to render it completely portable.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald S. Shapiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0613; A61N5/0619; A61N2005/0635; A61N2005/0643; A61N2005/0644; A61N2005/065; A61N2005/0651; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for detecting acupuncture points on the skin of a living subject by detecting an area of reduced skin impedance and for stimulating acupuncture points on the skin of a living subject by pulsed light radiation, comprising: a housing; a light emitting diode within said housing; a probe provided on one end of said housing; a source of electric current disposed within said housing; first circuit means disposed within said housing for providing said light emitting diode with a pulsed current from said source of electric current; and second circuit means disposed within said housing and connected with said probe, said second circuit means including means for measuring an initial reference impedance for said living subject when said probe is placed in contact with said skin of said living subject at a first location and thereafter being operative to provide a signal indicative of an impedance less than said initial reference impedance of said subject when said probe is moved to another location on said skin of said living subject, said signal being indicative of an acupuncture point to be stimulated by said light emitting diode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for detecting acupuncture points on the skin of a living subject by detecting an area of reduced skin impedance and for stimulating acupuncture points on the skin of a living subject by pulsed light radiation, comprising: a housing; a light emitting diode within said housing; a probe provided on one end of said housing; a source of electric current disposed within said housing; first circuit means disposed within said housing for providing said light emitting diode with a pulsed current from said source of electric current; and second circuit means disposed within said housing and connected with said probe, said second circuit means including means for measuring an initial reference impedance for said living subject when said probe is placed in contact with said skin of said living subject at a first location and thereafter being operative to provide a signal indicative of an impedance less than said initial reference impedance of said subject when said probe is moved to another location on said skin of said living subject, said signal being indicative of an acupuncture point to be stimulated by said light emitting diode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting diode has a wave length of approximately 660 nanometers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting diode is pulsed at a frequency of approximately 292 hertz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing is sized so as to be able to be hand held.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical current source comprises a battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second circuit means includes a second light emitting diode arranged to provide said signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first circuit means includes an integrated circuit means to produce a square wave duty cycle to provide the pulsed current to said light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second circuit includes a ground plate mounted on said housing, said probe and said ground plate being adapted to be engageable with spaced portions of the skin of said living subject whereby said reference impedance may be measured.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second circuit means further includes a switch means, said switch means being operable to a first position whereby a first portion of said second circuit means is actuated for measuring said reference impedance and a second position whereby said first portion is deactuated and said impedance less than said reference may be sensed.
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) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-12-17 | 1995-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-12-17 | 1999-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-17 | 2002-12-17 | 2003-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |