| Portable unit for treating chronic pain -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Portable unit for treating chronic painUSPTO Application #: 20060041285Title: Portable unit for treating chronic pain Abstract: A portable pain treatment unit includes: a first pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in a frequency range typical for interferential treatment; a second pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) treatment; electrodes operatively connected with the first and second pulse generators that are configured for application to a treatment area; and a power source operatively connected to the first and second pulse generators. A device of this configuration enables the patient to receive either IF or TENS treatment at a location of his/her choosing rather than being forced to receive IF treatment in a clinical setting. (end of abstract)
Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec - Raleigh, NC, US Inventor: Robert G. Johnson USPTO Applicaton #: 20060041285 - Class: 607046000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Electrical Therapeutic Systems, Electrical Treatment Of Pain The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060041285. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority from U.S Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/603,138, filed Aug. 20, 2004, and 60/629,049, filed Nov. 18, 2004, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed generally to the devices for the treatment of pain, and more particularly to devices for the treatment of pain through electrical stimulation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The treatment of chronic pain has long been a troublesome area of medical practice. "Chronic pain" is a diagnosis that is less a true diagnosis of the physiological condition than a symptomatic diagnosis describing a chronic condition. The diagnosis often results after multiple interventions by licensed medical professionals using surgery, drugs, manipulation, stretching, chiropractic, and other modalities without substantial and/or permanent relief of the patient's pain. "Chronicity" is generally described as pain lasting for greater than 6 months, and in some cases, the time period is described as greater than 12 months. [0004] Once a patient is diagnosed as suffering from chronic pain, often the patient is sent to a licensed professional, generally a physical therapist, who treats the patient 2 to 3 times per week in a clinic. One very common pain-treatment device is an interferential (IF) unit, which administers electrical pulses to and around the painful area. During treatment, the patient lies down and 2 to 4 electrodes are applied around the area of pain. The interferential unit then applies electrical pulses via two channels to the treatment area (typically about 5,000 to 8,500 pulses per second) for, typically, 20 to 40 minutes. The output of the two channels is configured so that the electrical currents from the two separate channels perpendicularly intersect each other in the mid-painful area, and so that the frequency of pulses differs between the channels, thereby allowing the two currents of differing orientation and frequency to interact. An exemplary interferential unit is the INTERFERENZ 5, available from Bosch. [0005] The body is both an insulator and a conductor of electricity. At a pulse frequency of 4,000 to 5,000 pulses per second, the resistance imposed by the skin is reduced and the current can stimulate more nerves beneath the outer layer of skin. The body seems to modify the current from the two channels of an interferential unit. The resulting current from the intersection creates a new resultant waveform that alternates in amplitude and form. As a result of the current modifications the patient receives more sensory stimulation, which can relieve the pain. Generally there is a longer "carryover" period, post-treatment, in which the patient is relatively pain free, than what is achieved using other types of devices with less electrical output. [0006] One significant shortcoming of a conventional interferential unit is its lack of portability. Viable interferential units have required alternating current for operation, as different batteries that have been tried that would enable the unit to be portable (typical 9 volt systems, including both disposable alkaline batteries and rechargeable Ni--Cd batteries) have been inadequate (some exhaust the system in less than one minute). As such, the typical setting for interferential treatment has been in a clinic, where the unit can be plugged into a wall outlet, rather than in the home or at the time of need. [0007] One alternative unit for the treatment of chronic pain is a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) device. The TENS unit is a dual channel device that typically delivers 0.5 to 200 pulses per second at a pulse width of between about 50 and 250 microseconds. The patient receives 2 to 4 electrodes around the area of pain for as long as needed. The amplitude of the TENS wave is adjusted until the patient feels sensory input that is pleasurable and not uncomfortable. If the TENS treatment benefits the patient, the physician/therapist often recommends that a TENS unit be rented and/or purchased for the patient for home use, particularly for sessions between interferential treatments. [0008] A TENS device uses a 9 volt battery, which is sufficient because of the relative low output required for the use of this device. The TENS unit typically is a truly portable device that that the patient can wear and use on a 24 hour basis without the constraint of a lack of electrical energy due to insufficient battery capabilities. An exemplary TENS unit is the EPIX XL unit, available from EMPI, Inc. [0009] Unfortunately, a TENS unit is generally not as effective as an interferential unit and rarely has the carryover effect achieved with the IF units. Due to this lack of "carryover relief," it is not unusual for a patient to wear a TENS unit continuously initially, then less if the underlying condition improves. Also, in many instances patients' pain relief is limited to areas between the electrodes of the TENS unit: i.e., "deep" pain (such as sciatica or other joint pain) is not relieved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] As a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable pain treatment unit comprising: a first pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in a frequency range typical for interferential treatment; a second pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) treatment; electrodes operatively connected with the first and second pulse generators that are configured for application to a treatment area; and a power source operatively connected to the first and second pulse generators. A device of this configuration enables the patient to receive either IF or TENS treatment at a location of his/her choosing rather than being forced to receive IF treatment in a clinical setting. [0011] As a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a TENS unit comprising: a pulse generator configured to deliver pulses in the frequency range for TENS treatment; electrodes operatively connected to the pulse generator that are configured for application to a treatment area; and a power source operatively connected to the pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator has an enhanced pulse width of at least 300 microseconds. In this configuration, the device has the capability of delivering enhanced width pulses, which can result in significant pain relief, particularly for "deep" pain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE [0012] The FIGURE is a schematic diagram of a pain treatment unit according to embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0013] The present invention will be described more particularly hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the invention to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity. [0014] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Where used, the terms "attached", "connected", "interconnected", "coupled", "contacting", "mounted" and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise. [0015] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. [0016] As used herein the expression "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. [0017] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. [0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Continue reading... Full patent description for Portable unit for treating chronic pain Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable unit for treating chronic pain patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Portable unit for treating chronic pain or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Electrical stimulation system and method for stimulating nerve tissue in the brain using a stimulation lead having a tip electrode, having at least five electrodes, or both Next Patent Application: Method for inducing angiogenesis by electrical stimulation of muscles Industry Class: Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Portable unit for treating chronic pain patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.75347 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
