Electrical muscle stimulation for treatment of scoliosis and other spinal deformities
US4408609A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 1982 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3604
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for correction of spinal curvature deficiencies such as scolios lordosis, kyphosis and combinations thereof, utilizing transcutaneous, percutaneous or subcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation of certain target musculature is described. Following selection of the target muscle sites, the apparatus supplies electrical muscle stimulation to each of the muscle sites to be contracted, on a alternating basis, the net effect of which is the muscle sites jointly apply a corrective force on a constant basis while, at the same time, each said muscle site has a rest period between each stimulation period. Each muscle site is not affected by the electrical stimulation of the other site. The apparatus has means for applying dual channel alternating stimulation pulses to target muscle sites, which pulses are overlapping during stimulation, and results in a constant force being applied on the curvature to be reduced without the muscle fatigue which would normally be associated with stimulation of a single muscle site on a constant basis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.