US5425752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of direct electrical myostimulation using acupuncture needles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-12-09
•
Granted: 1995-06-20
•
Expires: 2013-12-09
Abstract
Abstract Direct electrical myostimulation using acupuncture needles as electrodes leads to improvements in the treatment of human muscular ptosis. Pairs of needles are introduced at least as far as the muscular aponeurosis of the ptotic area and a microcurrent is passed between them in line with the muscular fasciculus. The method may advantageously be combined with electrical stimulation of the adipocyte-containing hypoderm to effect lipolysis.
Inventors
- 👤 Dung D. Vu'Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61H; A61H39/00; A61H39/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for improving human muscle and skin tone comprising a treatment by myostimulation and superficial electrolipolysis, said myostimulation consisting of inserting at least one pair of electrically conducting probes perpendicularly to the muscle, applying an alternating voltage in order to create a current of between 2 and 5 μA, to said at least one pair of electrically conducting probes, said probes being from 1 to 7 cm apart in line with the muscle fibers, and said superficial electrolipolysis consisting of inserting at least one pair of electrically conducting probes tangentially in the adipocyte-containing hypoderm, applying a voltage in order to create a current higher than the current used in said myostimulation to said at least one pair of electrically conducting probes, said myostimulation and electrolipolysis being carried out simultaneously or one after the other, and said treatment being repeated weekly for 3 to 6 weeks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for improving human muscle and skin tone comprising a treatment by myostimulation and superficial electrolipolysis, said myostimulation consisting of inserting at least one pair of electrically conducting probes perpendicularly to the muscle, applying an alternating voltage in order to create a current of between 2 and 5 μA, to said at least one pair of electrically conducting probes, said probes being from 1 to 7 cm apart in line with the muscle fibers, and said superficial electrolipolysis consisting of inserting at least one pair of electrically conducting probes tangentially in the adipocyte-containing hypoderm, applying a voltage in order to create a current higher than the current used in said myostimulation to said at least one pair of electrically conducting probes, said myostimulation and electrolipolysis being carried out simultaneously or one after the other, and said treatment being repeated weekly for 3 to 6 weeks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrically conducting probes are acupuncture needles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alternating voltage used in said myostimulation has a frequency of 10 to 50 Hz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alternating voltage used in said myostimulation has a frequency of 10 to 15 Hz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alternating voltage used in said myostimulation is applied for a duration of 20 to 60 continuous minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alternating voltage used in said myostimulation is one whose cycle comprises a monopolar portion followed by a terminal inversion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the current used in said superficial electrolipolysis is of 8 μA.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said treatment further consists of applying said method to a region of the body selected from the group consisting of buttocks, abdomen, arms, thighs, face and breasts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3646940A
Cited
US3897789A
Cited
US3908669A
Cited
US3957053A
Cited
US4026301A
Cited
US4262672A
Cited
US4326534A
Cited
US4408609A
Cited
US4342317A
Cited
US4392496A
Cited
US4633888A
Cited
US4553548A
Cited
US4932405A
Cited
US4750499A
Cited
US5070873A
Cited
US4799487A
Cited
US4976264A
Cited
US5133354A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-19 | 1998-12-19 | 1999-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-19 | 2002-12-19 | 2003-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-19 | 2006-12-19 | 2007-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |