Apparatus and method for the cardio-synchronized stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscles

An apparatus configured for cardio-synchronised stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscle, but excluding heart muscles, in a counterpulsation mode of a patient having a cardiovascular system and a heart with a heart rate, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one active electrode and at least one passive electrode configured for attachment to said patient at positions at which the electrodes are in communication with said skeletal or smooth muscle when said skeletal or smooth muscle is in its original, natural position within the patient;
• a signal processor configured for a configuration input to be input thereto, for varying at least a time delay associated with counterpulsation mode stimulation, said signal processor being configured to produce control signal information relating to stimulation signals to be applied to said at least one active electrode in the counterpulsation mode;
• a sensing system configured to sense information relating to performance of the patient's heart, the information comprising the heart rate, and to transmit information signals to said signal processor;
• at least one stimulation signal generator associated with said active electrode and configured to generate the stimulation signals, the stimulation signals being provided at the active electrode in synchronization with the heart rate in the counterpulsation mode to thereby stimulate the skeletal or smooth muscle when the skeletal or smooth muscle is in the original, natural position within the patient;
• and
• a wireless transmitter configured to transmit said control signal information from said signal processor to said at least one stimulation signal generator, whereby said stimulation signal generator applies the stimulation signals to said active electrode in the counterpulsation mode in accordance with said control signal information;
• wherein said sensing system is configured to transmit said heart information to a medical evaluation unit by wireless transmission and said medical evaluation unit is configured to transmit signal configuration information to said signal processor by wireless transmission and said signal processor takes account of said configuration information when generating said control signal information.