Magnetic nerve stimulator for exciting peripheral nerves
US5725471A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2/02
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A magnetic nerve stimulator system is comprise of a core of highly saturable material with a coil winding. A thyrister capacitive discharge circuit pulses the device. A rapidly changing magnetic field is guided by the core, preferably vanadium permendur. For task specific excitation of various nerve groups, specially constructed cores allow for excitation of nerves at deeper levels with higher efficiency than is possible with air-core stimulators. Among the applications possible with this invention are treatment of incontinence, rehabilitation of large muscle groups in the leg and arm, and excitation of abdominal wall muscle groups to aid in weight loss and metabolic rate increase. A C-shape is employed for focussing the stimulation as desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.