Medical device for isometric stimulation to improve blood flow
Inventors
Tucker, Arthur Tudor • Bain, Duncan Shirreffs
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8738143-B2
Publication Date
2014-05-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and device for reduction of or treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the method comprising causing isometric stimulation of the leg muscles to promote blood flow. Other embodiments provide treatment for other circulatory disorders of the lower limbs and/or the systemic circulation.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of improving blood circulation in a leg of a patient by activating a plurality of leg muscles through one or more electrical stimuli administered to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa. The electrical stimuli are sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles. The approach includes use for improving blood flow in lower limbs by targeting venous function associated with blood pooling and impaired circulation.
The invention further treats a condition characterised by impaired blood flow in lower limbs by activating a plurality of leg muscles via electrical stimuli to the lateral popliteal nerve in the popliteal fossa, with stimulation sufficient to cause isometric contraction. In the device context, a device body includes at least one electrode arranged so that it is positioned in proximity of the lateral popliteal nerve in the popliteal fossa, a power supply connectable to the electrode, and control means to activate the electrode for isometric muscle contraction.
The invention includes embodiments that monitor cardiac activity and administer the electrical stimulus in time with a desired feature of the monitored cardiac activity. It also includes embodiments with monitoring or recording blood-related characteristics using photoplethysmography or plethysmography, and adjusting activation based on a monitored blood characteristic. Additional device features include synchronization with components of a QRS complex from an electrocardiogram and visual activation indicators, as well as a control module/program store arrangement.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to five inventive features: improving blood circulation by stimulating the lateral popliteal nerve to induce isometric contraction, treating a condition characterised by impaired blood flow in lower limbs using the same nerve stimulation concept, operating an electrical stimulation device attached in the popliteal fossa region, enhancing blood circulation with cardiac-activity monitoring and timed stimulation, and an apparatus/device configured with an electrode positioned near the lateral popliteal nerve and control means for isometric muscle contraction.
Stimulating lateral popliteal nerve for isometric leg muscle contraction
Activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering one or more electrical stimuli to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles.
Treating impaired blood flow in lower limbs using lateral popliteal nerve stimulation
Activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering one or more electrical stimuli to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimuli being sufficient to cause isometric contraction of the muscles.
Operating a device attached in the popliteal fossa for lateral popliteal nerve stimulation
Attaching the device to a user in a region of the popliteal fossa to allow activation of said muscles by applying electrical stimulation to the lateral popliteal nerve in the region of the popliteal fossa; and activating the muscles by electrically stimulating the lateral popliteal nerve sufficiently to cause the muscles to contract isometrically.
Cardiac monitoring synchronized activation of lateral popliteal nerve stimulation
Monitoring cardiac activity of the patient; and activating a plurality of leg muscles by administering an electrical stimulus to the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically, wherein the stimulus is administered in time with a desired feature of the monitored cardiac activity.
Device with electrode near lateral popliteal nerve and control for isometric muscle contraction
A device body; at least one electrode for administration of an electrical stimulus to a nerve of a patient, the at least one electrode arranged with the device body so that the at least one electrode is positioned in the proximity of the lateral popliteal nerve in a region of the popliteal fossa; a power supply connectable to the electrode; and a control means of activating the electrode to activate a plurality of leg muscles by administering the electrical stimulus to the lateral popliteal nerve in the region of the popliteal fossa, the electrical stimulus being sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on activating multiple leg muscles by electrically stimulating the lateral popliteal nerve in the popliteal fossa with stimuli sufficient to cause isometric muscle contraction. Additional independent-claim scope is provided for treatment of conditions characterized by impaired lower-limb blood flow, operating the device through attachment in the popliteal fossa region, and enhancing blood circulation with timed stimulation relative to monitored cardiac activity.
Stated Advantages
Improving blood circulation in a leg of a patient.
Treatment of a condition characterised by impaired blood flow in lower limbs.
Enhancing blood circulation by administering the stimulus in time with monitored cardiac activity.
Providing device-based electrical stimulation to activate leg muscles to contract isometrically for blood-circulation improvement.
Documented Applications
Used for treating or preventing conditions characterized by impaired blood flow in lower limbs, including DVT, ulcers, varicose veins, ischaemia, oedema, phlebitis, osteoporosis, peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, common hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension.
Interested in licensing this patent?