# US 2021/0275052 A1 · Methods, systems, and devices for incorporating vibration therapy and vibration feedback into a bioelectric test probe

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2021/0275052 A1
- Document ID: US20210275052A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/163,959
- Filed: 2021-02-01
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 2020-01-30
- Assignees: Vine Medical LLC
- Applicants: Vine Medical LLC
- Inventors: Phillip W. Dietz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210275052A1

## CPC

- A61B 5/0532: specially adapted for acupuncture or moxibustion
- A61B 5/0051: {by applying vibrations}
- A61B 5/6825: {Hand}
- A61B 5/6843: {Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure}
- A61B 5/7455: {characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation}
- A61B 5/746: {Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms}
- A61H 23/02: with electric or magnetic drive
- A61H 39/007: {Stimulation by mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic}
- A61H 39/02: Devices for locating such points
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- A61H 2201/50: Control means thereof
- A61H 2201/5007: computer controlled
- A61H 2201/5043: Displays
- A61H 2230/08: Other bio-electrical signals
- A61H 2230/65: Impedance, e.g. skin conductivity; capacitance, e.g. galvanic skin response [GSR]
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for taking bioelectric measurements of a test subject using an automated bioelectric measurement system. A bioelectric testing device may include a conductive tip that is disposed at a distal end of the bioelectric testing device, and a vibration motor for vibrating the conductive tip during bioelectric testing of a test subject. The bioelectric testing device may further include a motor that applies a motor output force to the conductive tip during bioelectric testing to maintain proper force between a test subject and the conductive tip during the bioelectric testing. The one or more vibration motors may vibrate to provide alerts about operation or operability of the bioelectric testing device to a technician or test subject, to improve conductance between the device and the test subject, or to decrease discomfort and pain for the test subject.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bioelectric testing device comprising:
a conductive tip that is disposed at a distal end of the bioelectric testing device; and
one or more vibration motors for vibrating the bioelectric testing device during bioelectric testing of a test subject.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a motor that applies a motor output force to the conductive tip during bioelectric testing to maintain proper force between a test subject and the conductive tip during the bioelectric testing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 2, further comprising:
a controller for automating the motor output force applied to the conductive tip by the motor during bioelectric testing to maintain proper force between the test subject and the conductive tip during the bioelectric testing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 1,
wherein the one or more vibration motors comprise one or more of:
a first vibration motor mounted on a shaft of the conductive tip for vibrating the conductive tip during bioelectric testing;
a second vibration motor mounted on a housing of the bioelectric testing device that houses components of the bioelectric testing device; and
a third vibration motor mounted on a circuit board within the housing of the bioelectric testing device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a non-conductive housing comprising:
a non-conductive body; and
an isolating hood surrounding the conductive tip to isolate a technician from other elements of the bioelectric testing device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vibration motors vibrate to provide alerts about operation or operability of the bioelectric testing device to a technician or test subject.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 6, wherein the conductive tip of the bioelectric testing device is a primary conductive tip;
wherein the bioelectric testing device further comprises one or more secondary conductive tips;
wherein the conductive tips, including the primary conductive tip and the one or more secondary conductive tips, are electrically isolated from each other such that each conductive tip obtains independent bioelectric measurements; and
wherein the one or more vibration motors vibrate to provide an alert indicating which conductive tip of the primary conductive tip and the one or more secondary conductive tips obtain a higher bioelectric reading.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The bioelectric testing device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vibration motors vibrate the conductive tip.

### Claim 9

A bioelectric testing system for taking bioelectric measurements of a test subject, the bioelectric testing system comprising:
a grounding device for contacting a test subject;
a controller for automating operation of the bioelectric testing system;
a bioelectric test probe comprising:
a conductive tip that is disposed at a distal end of the bioelectric test probe; and
one or more vibration motors for vibrating the bioelectric test probe during bioelectric testing of a test subject.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 9, the bioelectric test probe further comprising:
a motor that applies a motor output force to the conductive tip during bioelectric testing to maintain proper force between a test subject and the conductive tip during the bioelectric testing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 10, further comprising:
a controller for automating the motor output force applied to the conductive tip by the motor during bioelectric testing to maintain proper force between the test subject and the conductive tip during the bioelectric testing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 9,
wherein the one or more vibration motors comprise one or more of:
a first vibration motor mounted on a shaft of the conductive tip for vibrating the conductive tip during bioelectric testing;
a second vibration motor mounted on a housing of the bioelectric test probe that houses components of the bioelectric test probe; and
a third vibration motor mounted on a circuit board within the housing of the bioelectric test probe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 9, the bioelectric test probe further comprising:
a non-conductive housing comprising:
a non-conductive body; and
an isolating hood surrounding the conductive tip to isolate a technician from other elements of the bioelectric test probe.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more vibration motors vibrate to provide alerts about operation or operability of the bioelectric test probe to a technician or test subject.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 14, wherein the conductive tip of the bioelectric testing device is a primary conductive tip;
wherein the bioelectric testing device further comprises one or more secondary conductive tips;
wherein the conductive tips including the primary conductive tip and the one or more secondary conductive tips are electrically isolated from each other such that each conductive tip obtains independent bioelectric measurements; and
wherein the one or more vibration motors vibrate to provide an alert indicating which conductive tip of the primary conductive tip and the one or more secondary conductive tips obtain a higher bioelectric reading.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The bioelectric testing system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more vibration motors vibrate the conductive tip.

### Claim 17

A method for taking bioelectric measurements of a test subject with a bioelectric testing device comprising a conductive tip that is disposed at a distal end of the bioelectric testing device, and one or more vibration motors for vibrating the bioelectric testing device, wherein the method comprises:
contacting a test subject with the conductive tip of the bioelectric testing device;
vibrating, with the one or more vibration motors, the bioelectric testing device; and
taking one or more bioelectric measurements of the test subject with the bioelectric testing device.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
applying, with a motor, a motor output force to the conductive tip during bioelectric testing to maintain proper force between a test subject and the conductive tip during the bioelectric testing.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
providing an alert about the operation or operability of the bioelectric testing system to a technician or test subject by vibrating the one or more vibration motors.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein the conductive tip of the bioelectric testing device is a primary conductive tip;
wherein the bioelectric testing device further comprises one or more secondary conductive tips;
wherein the conductive tips, including the primary conductive tip and the one or more secondary conductive tips, are electrically isolated from each other such that each conductive tip obtains independent bioelectric measurements; and
wherein the method further comprises:
providing an alert indicating which conductive tip of the primary conductive tip and the one or more secondary conductive tips obtain a higher bioelectric reading by vibrating the one or more vibration motors.