US 12,714,326 B2Granted

Apparatus for detecting electrical conductivity

AssigneeActegy Limited

InventorAnno Jakob Koetje

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Abstract

Apparatus (30) for detecting motion of a device (1) for electrical stimulation of a subject is described. The apparatus (30) comprises a motion detector (2) to detect the motion of the device (1) and generate a motion output signal in response to the detected motion. The motion output signal is indicative of the amount of detected motion. A processor (21) is coupled to the motion detector (20). The processor (21) receives (72) the motion output signal from the motion detector (20) and generates a first processor output signal in response to the received motion output signal. An output device (14, 26) is coupled to the processor (21). The output device (14, 26) receives the first processor output signal from the processor (21) and generates a first output signal in response to the received first processor output signal. The processor (21) generates the first processor output signal if either: (i) the received motion output signal is greater than a threshold; or (ii) the received motion output signal is less than a threshold.

Claims16

Dependent claims

Apparatus for detecting electrical conductivity between a subject and a device for electrical stimulation of the subject, the apparatus comprising:

(i) a first electrical contact adapted to contact skin of a subject in a first location, in use;
(ii) a second electrical contact adapted to contact the skin of the subject in a second location, in use;
(iii) a processor having an output coupled to the first electrical contact and an input coupled to the second electrical contact;
(iv) an output device coupled to the processor;
and
wherein the processor is configured to output an alternating voltage signal to the first electrical contact and to receive a response signal from the second electrical contact;
and the processor being further configured to either:
(a) send an output signal to the output device in response to the received response signal, the output signal corresponding to the received response signal and being indicative of the electrical conductivity between the device and the subject, in use;
or (b) send an output signal to the output device when a voltage amplitude of the response signal received by the processor is below a threshold, the output signal being indicative that the electrical conductivity between the subject and the device is below the threshold;
the apparatus further comprising electrical stimulation means that is adapted to apply an electrical stimulation voltage to muscles of a body part of the subject, in use;
wherein the electrical stimulation means comprises first and second electrical stimulation contact surfaces;
wherein the first electrical contact is located within the first electrical stimulation contact surface and the second electrical contact is located within the second electrical stimulation contact surface;
and
wherein the first electrical contact is electrically isolated from the first electrical stimulation contact surface and the second electrical contact is electrically isolated from the second electrical stimulation contact surface.

11 more elements

A method of detecting electrical conductivity between a subject and a device for electrical stimulation of the subject, the method comprising:

(i) contacting a first electrical contact against skin of a subject in a first location;
(ii) contacting a second electrical contact against the skin of the subject in a second location;
(iii) applying an alternating voltage signal to the first electrical contact;
(iv) receiving a response signal at the second electrical contact;
(v) transmitting the response signal to a processor;
and
wherein the processor is configured to output an alternating voltage signal to the first electrical contact and to receive a response signal from the second electrical contact;
and the processor being further configured to either:
(a) send an output signal to the output device in response to the received response signal, the output signal corresponding to the received response signal and being indicative of the electrical conductivity between the device and the subject, in use;
or (b) send an output signal to the output device if a voltage amplitude of the response signal received by the processor is below a threshold, the output signal being indicative that the electrical conductivity between the subject and the device is below the threshold;
the device for electrical stimulation of the subject comprising electrical stimulation means that is adapted to apply an electrical stimulation voltage to muscles of a body part of the subject, in use;
wherein the electrical stimulation means comprises first and second electrical stimulation contact surfaces;
wherein the first electrical contact is located within the first electrical stimulation contact surface and the second electrical contact is located within the second electrical stimulation contact surface;
and
wherein the first electrical contact is electrically isolated from the first electrical stimulation contact surface and the second electrical contact is electrically isolated from the second electrical stimulation contact surface.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/041,544Filed 10 Aug 2021
Priority: GB 201299920 Aug 2020
Published: US 2023/0371838 A123 Nov 2023
Granted: 25 Aug 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 5/0537
Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body: measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
A61B 5/4836
Other medical applications: diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods
A61B 5/4875
Determining body composition: hydration status, fluid retention of the body
A61N 1/36003
For stimulation: of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance