Devices, systems and methods for auricular acupuncture
AssigneeAdaptogenics Technologies, LLC
InventorsPeter G. MARINAKIS, Paul JORGENSEN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application relates to devices, systems and methods for auricular acupuncture. The devices suitably include an ear retention device that substantially contacts a patient's auricular surface, so as to allow sufficient energy from an optical or electric source to stimulate auricular acupuncture sites. The devices and systems are useful in various methods of treatment of patient conditions and presenting symptoms.
Claims30
An auricular acupuncture device, comprising:
- a. an ear retention device conformable to an auricular surface of a mammalian ear, the ear retention device including a plurality of energy output sites corresponding to auricular acupuncture points of the mammalian ear, wherein the energy output sites are positioned to substantially contact the auricular surface of the mammalian ear;
- b. an energy interface module, including at least a laser or a laser light emitting diode optical energy source, optically coupled to the energy output sites;
- c. a device control module, electrically coupled to the energy interface module;
- d. a support structure for maintaining the ear retention device adjacent the auricular surface of the mammalian ear;
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- e. a compliance detection element for determining that the auricular acupuncture device is correctly engaged, associated with the ear retention device or the support structure.
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A system for auricular acupuncture, comprising:
- a. an auricular acupuncture device including:
- i. an ear retention device conformable to an auricular surface of a patient's ear, the ear retention device including a plurality of energy output sites corresponding to auricular acupuncture points of the patient's ear, wherein the energy output sites are positioned to substantially contact the auricular surface of the patient's ear;
- ii. an energy interface module, including at least a laser or a laser light emitting diode optical energy source, optically coupled to the energy output sites;
- iii. a device control module, electrically coupled to the energy interface module;
- iv. a support structure for maintaining the ear retention device adjacent the auricular surface of the patient's ear;
- and
- v. a compliance detection element for determining that the auricular acupuncture device is correctly engaged, associated with the ear retention device or the support structure, and
- b. a remote database system wirelessly coupled to the auricular acupuncture device.
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A method of treating a medical condition or a presenting symptom in a patient, comprising:
- a. engaging an auricular surface of the patient's ear with an auricular acupuncture device, including:
- i. an ear retention device conformable to the auricular surface of the patient's ear, the ear retention device including a plurality of energy output sites corresponding to auricular acupuncture points of the patient's ear, wherein the energy output sites substantially contact the auricular surface of the patient's ear;
- ii. an energy interface module, including at least an optical energy source, optically coupled to the ear retention device;
- iii. a device control module, electrically coupled to the energy interface module;
- iv. a support structure for maintaining the ear retention device adjacent the auricular surface of the patient's ear;
- and
- v. a compliance detection element for determining that the auricular acupuncture device is correctly engaged, associated with the ear retention device or the support structure,
- b. initiating an optical or an electrical energy signal from the energy interface module;
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- c. passing the optical or the electrical signal through the ear retention device to the auricular acupuncture points on the auricular surface of the patient's ear in sufficient levels to penetrate tissue of the patient's ear and stimulate the auricular acupuncture points.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.