Device, system, and method to improve powered muscle stimulation performance in the presence of tissue edema
AssigneeNiveus Medical, Inc.
InventorBrian Fahey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods for neuromuscular electrical stimulation to muscle tissue. Stimulation electrodes may be provided on a stimulation pad, configured to provide electrical stimulation to a target tissue. A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation may also include pressure generating mechanisms that may provide a compressive force to a region with the target tissue, thereby removing some excess third space fluid from the region.
Claims37
A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation comprising:
- a stimulation assembly formed of at least one stimulating electrode for providing electrical stimulation to a target muscle and/or nervous tissue;
- a controller in electrical communication with the at least one stimulating electrode, wherein the controller provides a stimulation signal to the at least one stimulating electrode;
- and
- a tissue fluid displacing pressure pad and fastener for providing a compressive force to the target muscle and/or nervous tissue, wherein the compressive force is within a predetermined pressure range sufficient to move excess third space fluid from a stimulation region proximate to the target muscle and/or nervous tissue.
A method for electrically stimulating a selected stimulation region of a subject comprising:
- placing at least one stimulating electrode in electrical communication with a target muscle and/or nervous tissue of the subject;
- providing a compressive force to the target muscle and/or nervous tissue of the subject, wherein the compressive force is within a predetermined pressure range sufficient to move excess third space fluid from a stimulation region proximate to the target muscle and/or nervous tissue;
- and
- providing an electrical stimulation signal to the at least one stimulating electrode, thereby electrically stimulating the target muscle and/or nervous tissue from which excess third space fluid has been moved.
A system for electrical stimulation of muscle and/or nervous tissue comprising:
- at least one stimulating electrode for providing electrical stimulation to a target muscle and/or nervous tissue;
- a controller in electrical communication with the at least one stimulating electrode, wherein the control unit provides a stimulation signal to the at least one stimulating electrode;
- and
- a pressure assembly comprising a plurality of compression components, wherein each compression component provides a force to a different region proximate to the target muscle and/or nervous tissue, and wherein at least two compression components are independently capable of providing a different amount of force.
A system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation comprising:
- a stimulation assembly formed of at least one stimulating electrode for providing electrical stimulation to a target muscle and/or nervous tissue;
- a controller in electrical communication with the at least one stimulating electrode, wherein the controller provides a stimulation signal to the at least one stimulating electrode;
- and
- a tissue fluid displacing curved component for providing a compressive force to the target muscle and/or nervous tissue, wherein the tissue fluid displacing curved component incorporates a rigid or semi-rigid body with a steady state radius of curvature smaller than a subject body part associated with the target muscle and/or nervous tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.