Intramuscular stimulation apparatus and method
US6532390B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/907
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intramuscular stimulation (IMS) device and method permit electrical and mechanical modes of stimulation to be carried out individually or together. The gun-like stimulation device permits a disposable needle applicator unit including a needle and elongate sheath to be removably attached thereto. Different needle penetration depths are obtainable with a single needle by virtue of a drive carriage with a position selecting element. To help avoid repetitive strain injury to a treating physician, a processor may monitor a body contact sensor and continue an intramuscular stimulation cycle only so long as contact is detected. In order to ensure that only a single IMS operation is performed during a period of body contact, performance of a further intramuscular stimulation cycle may be prevented unless it is determined that body contact was broken at a time following a previous IMS cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.