US5540735A — Apparatus for electro-stimulation of flexing body…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 88 words

An apparatus for introducing electrical stimulation into a flexing portion of a human body, comprising: positioning means for firmly holding said flexing portion in a predetermined position so that said flexing portion is held in substantial immobility; two or more stimulation contacts mounted in the positioning means in predetermined locations relative to each other and an area to be treated with stimulation so that the electrical stimulation bridges said flexing portion; and stimulator means electrically connected to the stimulation contacts for introducing electrical stimulation at the stimulation contacts.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 88 words

An apparatus for introducing electrical stimulation into a flexing portion of a human body, comprising: positioning means for firmly holding said flexing portion in a predetermined position so that said flexing portion is held in substantial immobility; two or more stimulation contacts mounted in the positioning means in predetermined locations relative to each other and an area to be treated with stimulation so that the electrical stimulation bridges said flexing portion; and stimulator means electrically connected to the stimulation contacts for introducing electrical stimulation at the stimulation contacts.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the positioning means is a brace that firmly holds a wrist and hand with a palm and a back in a position of substantial immobility.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 75 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the two or more stimulation contacts comprise four stimulation contacts as follows: a first contact for positioning at an anterior, inner portion of the wrist; a second contact for positioning at an anterior, outer portion of the wrist; a third contact for positioning at the palm of the hand adjacent the wrist; and a fourth contact for positioning at the back of the hand adjacent the wrist.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the stimulator means is an interferential stimulator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 68 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the stimulator is connected to the stimulation contacts so that the first and fourth contacts are part of a circuit delivering one channel of stimulus of a first specified frequency and the second and third contacts are part of a circuit delivering a second channel of stimulus of a second specified frequency with an interference relationship to the first frequency.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a skin electrode associated with and placed in electrically conductive relationship with each of said stimulation contacts.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said stimulator means comprises a signal generator; a power source including a switch; and an output connector.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said signal generator comprises waveform production means for producing various waveforms.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein one of said various waveforms is a pulse waveform.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein one of said various waveforms is a square waveform.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein one of said various waveforms is a sawtooth waveform.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said stimulator means further comprises an amplitude control means for controlling amplitude of the electrical stimulation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said stimulator means further comprises a frequency control means for controlling the rate at which the waveforms are delivered by said stimulator.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said stimulator means further comprises means for generating a carrier frequency and an adjustable interference frequency; and a frequency shifting control means for controlling in a predetermined manner changes in the adjustable interference frequency.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the positioning means comprises a brace that contains stiffeners that are adapted to extend across the flexing portion of the body to substantially limit flexing during stimulation.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 156 words

An apparatus for introducing electrical stimulation into a hand with a palm and a back, and a wrist portion of a human body, comprising: a wrist brace for firmly holding said hand and wrist portion in a predetermined position so that said hand and wrist portion are held in substantial immobility; two or more stimulation contacts mounted in the wrist brace in predetermined locations relative to each other and the hand and wrist portion to be treated with stimulation so that the electrical stimulation bridges the hand and the wrist portion; two or more skin electrodes adapted to be with each skin electrode attached to one of said two or more stimulation contacts and each skin electrode adapted to be attached to said surface of hand and wrist portion; and a stimulator electrically connected to the stimulation contacts for introducing electrical stimulation to the hand and wrist portion through the stimulation contacts and the skin electrodes.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 156 words

An apparatus for introducing electrical stimulation into a hand with a palm and a back, and a wrist portion of a human body, comprising: a wrist brace for firmly holding said hand and wrist portion in a predetermined position so that said hand and wrist portion are held in substantial immobility; two or more stimulation contacts mounted in the wrist brace in predetermined locations relative to each other and the hand and wrist portion to be treated with stimulation so that the electrical stimulation bridges the hand and the wrist portion; two or more skin electrodes adapted to be with each skin electrode attached to one of said two or more stimulation contacts and each skin electrode adapted to be attached to said surface of hand and wrist portion; and a stimulator electrically connected to the stimulation contacts for introducing electrical stimulation to the hand and wrist portion through the stimulation contacts and the skin electrodes.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 120 words

An apparatus for introducing electrical stimulation into a hand, having a palm and a back, and a wrist portion of a human body, comprising: a brace for firmly holding said wrist and hand in a position of substantial immobility; four stimulation contacts mounted in said brace such that: a first contact is positioned at an anterior, inner portion of the wrist; a second contact is positioned at an anterior, outer portion of the wrist; a third contact is positioned at the palm of the hand adjacent the wrist; a fourth contact is positioned at the back portion of the hand adjacent the wrist; and stimulator means electrically connected to the stimulation contacts for introducing electrical stimulation at the stimulation contacts.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 120 words

An apparatus for introducing electrical stimulation into a hand, having a palm and a back, and a wrist portion of a human body, comprising: a brace for firmly holding said wrist and hand in a position of substantial immobility; four stimulation contacts mounted in said brace such that: a first contact is positioned at an anterior, inner portion of the wrist; a second contact is positioned at an anterior, outer portion of the wrist; a third contact is positioned at the palm of the hand adjacent the wrist; a fourth contact is positioned at the back portion of the hand adjacent the wrist; and stimulator means electrically connected to the stimulation contacts for introducing electrical stimulation at the stimulation contacts.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus is recited in claim 17, wherein the stimulator means is an interferential stimulator.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 68 words

The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the stimulator is connected to the stimulation contacts so that the first and fourth contacts are part of a circuit delivering one channel of stimulus of a first specified frequency and the second and third contacts are part of a circuit delivering a second channel of stimulus of a second specified frequency with an interference relationship to the first frequency.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-30	2000-01-29	2000-07-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-30	2004-01-29	2004-07-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-30	2008-01-29	2008-07-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for electro-stimulation of flexing body portions

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