Abstract: A method of treating a patient includes administering an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stimulus to the patient. The current is greater than about 0.9 ampere or 1.0 ampere, or is between about 1.0 and about 2 amperes. The energy delivered is about 100 Joules or less across an impedance of 200 ohms. The stimulus may have a pulsewidth between about 0.5 and about 2.0 msec and/or a frequency in the range of about 10 to about 180 Hz, or the stimulus may have a pulsewidth between about 0.2 and about 0.499 msec and/or a frequency in the range of about 15 to about 300 Hz. An apparatus for ECT comprises a generator adapted to deliver such an electroconvulsive therapy stimulus to a patient. A method of calculating ECT dose comprises multiplying a charge to be delivered by the current (or voltage) to an exponential power between 2 and 4.

Abstract: The compound carvedilol has the chemical formula: ñ-1-(carbazol-4-yloxy)-3-[[2-(o-methyoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]-2-propanol. It exists in the form of optical isomers R- and S-carvedilol, and as mixtures of these isomers. It, or one of its optical isomers, is administered, preferably orally, several times per day in tablets of 3-25 mg for the treatment, prevention and clinical arrest of movement disorders associated with medications which block dopamine receptors, including many antipsychotic and antiemetic medications. Such movement disorders include tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, and tardive akathisia. The compound carvedilol is also administered to improve the treatment of mental disorders in which dopamine-blocking medications are used, such as manic episodes, major depressive episodes, and psychoses such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Abstract: A magnetic induction coil is placed next to the scalp of a patient. A pulse train of high energy electrical waves is flowed through the induction coil to produce a sufficiently strong magnetic field to generate currents in the patient's brain for the therapy of neurologic or psychiatric illnesses. These currents induced in the brain cause multifocal neuronal discharge to induce a generalized convulsive neuronal discharge.

Abstract: A medical device includes a magnetic stimulator having a magnetic induction coil which is placed next to the scalp of a patient. A pulse train of high energy electrical waves is flowed through the induction coil to produce a sufficiently strong magnetic field to generate currents in the patient's brain for the therapy of psychiatric illnesses. These currents induced in the brain are below the minimum needed to induce a convulsive brain seizure. The device includes an ECG (electrocardiograph) to monitor the electrical activity of the patient's heart and an EEG (electroencephalograph) to monitor the patient's electrical brain waves.

Abstract: An electronic method and apparatus in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically measure the electrical dosage of an ECT device at the time of stimulus and to prevent delivery to the patient of a dosage that is substantially (e.g., more than 5%, or 25 millicoulombs [mC], or 5 joules [J]) larger than the dosage selected by the operator. When the measured dosage varies more or less than a selected limited amount, or proportion, from the stimulus dial setting (e.g., 5% or 25 mC or 5 J), visible and/or audible signals are triggered and the device is blocked from delivering further stimuli without first being reset.

Abstract: In electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) the duration of the generated skeletal muscle, heart and brain wave activity during the administration of the electrically induced therapeutic seizures is automatically monitored. The ECT device includes a special purpose electromyograph (EMG) to detect isolated muscle activity and, in one embodiment, an electrocardiograph (ECG) to detect heart-beat intervals, and in another embodiment also includes an electroencephalograph (EEG) system to detect an EEG parameter of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected voltage from the EMG, ECG and EEG are converted to digital data and compared to a set of threshold reference values previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by a display, or auditory signal, if the selected parameters have crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and the time period, since termination of the ECT that each parameter has taken to reach the reference value.

Abstract: A method and systen in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically monitor and display the occurrence and the duration of the seizure activity generated during the administration of electrically induced therapeutic seizures. The ECT device includes a special-purpose electroencephaloraph (EEG) system to detect a specific EEG parameter (e.g. integrated voltage) of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected integrated voltage is converted to digital data and compared to a threshold reference value previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by an electronic alphanumeric elapsed time display or indications on a moving strip chart paper record, or oscilloscope CRT screen, when the parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and how long since the termination of the ECT the parameter has taken to reach the reference value.

Abstract: A method and system in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically monitor and display the occurrence and the duration of the seizure activity generated during the administration of the electrically induced therapeutic seizures. The ECT device includes a special-purpose electroencephalograph (EEG) system to detect a specific EEG parameter (e.g. integrated voltage) of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected integrated voltage is converted to digital data and compared to a threshold reference value previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by an electronic alphanumeric elapsed time display or indications on a moving strip chart paper record, or oscilloscope CRT screen, when the parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and how long since the termination of the ECT the parameter has taken to reach the reference value.

Abstract: A medical method and system in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses a disposable electrode, which does not use a liquid, such as conductive gel or saline solution. The electrode is a flexible multi-layer pad having an adhesive surface which is covered by a removable cover sheet. The pad comprises a layer of adhesive non-liquid conductive hydrogel, a thin conductive plastic film layer, a conductive metal foil layer connected to a wire lead, and an insulative plastic layer, preferably a plastic foam.