Patent · US Expired

High frequency high intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and method of treatment

US5052391A · kind A · utility

185Cited by
10References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 22, 1990
Grant dateOct 1, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 22, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/06
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device provides significantly improved patient results by supplying high frequency electrical pulses at frequencies in a range of 2.5 to 60 kilohertz. The frequency and intensity of the pulses can be adjusted, to treat the patient at the optimal frequency and amplitude in order to treat chronic or acute pain or to block the pain caused by a traumatic or medical procedure. Starting at a mid-level of intensity where no stimulation occurs, the frequency is adjusted downwardly until there is some nerse sensation. At this point, the procedure may be performed while the frequency is adjusted downwardly as needed to maintain nerve sansation. The wave form characteristic of the pulses is an AC wave form with a square wave portion with rapid rise time and slower fall time followed by a pulse portion of the opposite polarity compared to the square wave portion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.