US 2012/0232441 A1 · METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR REDUCING OR ELIMINATING PAIN RESULTING FROM PIERCING A PATIENT'S SKIN

Abstract

The various embodiments described herein relate to an electrode with one or more conductive surfaces and one or more access windows allowing needles, lancets and other similar objects to pass through or near the electrode and into the underlying skin layer. The mild electrical stimulation acts to mask the pain signals caused when sharp objects penetrate the skin. The stimulation is delivered by an attachable electrical unit designed to generate both the electrical and, in some embodiments, vibration stimuli while connected to the electrode. Certain embodiments relate to an electrode with one or more electrically isolated conductive surfaces coupled to a electrical and, in some embodiments, a vibration generating unit.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for providing topical analgesia during a procedure, the method comprising:

contacting an electrode to a patient's skin, the electrode having one or more conductive surfaces and at least one access point defined in the electrode, the at least one access point configured to allow objects to pass through the at least one access point and into the patient's skin;
coupling a reusable module to the electrode such that the reusable module is removable from the electrode;
measuring, with the electrode, at least one physiological variable of the patient's skin and transmitting measurements relating to the at least one physiological variable to a controller in the module;
and
generating, with the module, electrical energy based on the measurements relating to the at least one physiological variable and transmitting the electrical energy through the electrode to the patient's skin to provide an analgesic effect.

2 more elements

A system for providing topical analgesia during a procedure, the system comprising:

(a) an electrode configured to be contacted to a patient's skin, the electrode having one or more conductive surfaces and at least one access point defined within the electrode, the at least one access point configured to allow at least one object to pass through the at least one access point and into the patient's skin, wherein the electrode is configured to measure at least one physiological variable of the patient's skin;
and
(b) a module removably coupleable to the electrode, the module configured to:
receive from the electrode measurements relating to the at least one physiological variable;
and
(ii) generate electrical energy based on the measurements in order to deliver an electrical stimuli through the electrode and to the patient's skin to provide an analgesic effect,
wherein the electrical stimuli act to mask pain signals caused when the at least one object penetrate the patient's skin.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods, systems, and devices for reducing or eliminating pain resulting from piercing a patient's skin

Life of this patent

Methods, systems, and devices for reducing or eliminating pain resulting from piercing a patient's skin

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15