# US 9,254,382 B2 · Apparatus for transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,254,382 B2 - Document ID: US9254382B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/177,133 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2014-08-14 - Granted: 2016-02-09 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-08 - Assignees: ReliefBand Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Neurowave Medical Technologies LLC - Inventors: Aftab Ahmad; Matthew J. Geary; Farhan Hussain - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9254382B2 ## CPC - A61H 39/002: {Using electric currents (electrotherapy A61N1/32)} - A61N 1/0456: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]} - A61N 1/36034: {specified by the stimulation parameters} - A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal - A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces - A61H 2205/125: Foot reflex zones - 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) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract An electro-acupuncture device for controlling over active bladder is described. The device includes a housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and at least one strap for securing the housing to the ankle. The device also includes a pair of D-shaped electrodes received within the bottom outer surface of the housing. The housing of the device is flexible with a low profile and is shaped so that it is conformal to a person's ankle. When the device is strapped to a patient's ankle, the electrodes contact the ankle and provide electric stimulation to the tibial nerve within the ankle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nerve stimulation device for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve, the nerve stimulation device comprising: a) a housing having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface that extends from an annular sidewall, wherein the housing bottom surface is curved having a convex shape that outwardly extends away from the opposing top surface, and wherein the curved bottom surface is adapted to be contactable to an exterior surface of a human body; b) at least two electrodes received through respective apertures that extend through the housing bottom surface; and c) a pulse generating circuit enclosed within the housing operably connected to the electrodes, wherein the pulse generator is capable of generating an electrical pulse. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein the electrodes are substantially D-shaped having a straight edge and an arcuate edge, the electrodes being arranged within the aperture of the housing with the straight edges opposing each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein at least one strap is attachable to the housing, the strap adapted to secure the housing to the body, wherein the at least one strap is configured relative to the housing and the electrodes so that the electrodes are directly contactable to the skin of the human body when the nerve stimulation device is positioned on the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein a gasket having a first gasket aperture and a second gasket aperture dimensioned to receive the electrodes is disposed about the electrodes on the bottom outer surface of the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein the housing is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene, polycarbonate, neoprene and combinations thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a height to width ratio ranging from about 1 to about 3. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein the housing annular sidewall comprises an outer annular sidewall surface that resides about perpendicular to the top housing surface, wherein the outer annular sidewall surface has a beveled shape that curves distally from the annular sidewall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein the pulse generating circuit is configurable to emit a constant current electrical pulse. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The nerve stimulation device of claim 1 wherein the electrical pulse comprises a maximum current output of about 60 milliamps. ### Claim 10 A nerve stimulation device for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve, the nerve stimulation device comprising: a) a housing comprising a first housing portion having a first housing portion outer perimeter that extends from a second housing portion having a second housing portion outer perimeter, wherein the second housing portion outer perimeter is greater than the first housing portion outer perimeter; b) at least two electrodes positioned on an exterior surface of the second housing portion; c) a pulse generating circuit enclosed within the first housing portion operably connected to the electrodes to provide an electrical pulse. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The nerve stimulation device of claim 10 wherein the at least two electrodes comprise a substantially D-shaped electrodes having a straight edge and an arcuate edge, the electrodes being arranged on the housing with the straight edges opposing each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The nerve stimulation device of claim 10 wherein the housing is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene, polycarbonate, neoprene and combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The nerve stimulation device of claim 10 wherein the housing has a height to width ratio ranging from about 1 to about 3. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The nerve stimulation device of claim 10 wherein the electrical pulse comprises a maximum current output of about 60 milliamps. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The nerve stimulation device of claim 10 wherein at least one input mechanism resides within a recessed portion that extends at least partially within an exterior surface of the first housing portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The nerve stimulation device of claim 10 wherein the first housing portion is removably separatable from the second housing portion. ### Claim 17 A nerve stimulation device for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve, the nerve stimulation device comprising: a) a housing comprising: i) a first housing portion having a first housing portion top surface opposed from a first housing bottom surface and a first housing portion outer perimeter; and ii) a second housing portion having a second housing portion top surface opposed from a second housing bottom surface and a second housing portion inner perimeter that extends to a second housing portion outer perimeter, wherein the first housing portion is removably positioned within the second housing portion inner perimeter, and wherein the first housing portion bottom surface and the second housing portion bottom surface are about coplanar; b) at least two electrodes positioned on the first housing portion bottom surface; and c) a pulse generating circuit enclosed within the first housing operably connected to the electrodes, wherein the pulse generating circuit is capable of generating a constant current electrical pulse. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The nerve stimulation device of claim 17 wherein at least one input mechanism resides within a recessed portion that at least partially extends within a top surface of the housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The nerve stimulation device of claim 17 wherein the second housing portion comprises a tab portion that distally extends from the second housing portion outer perimeter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The nerve stimulation device of claim 17 wherein the housing has a height to width ratio ranging from about 1 to about 3.