Patents by Inventor Louis Crowe
Louis Crowe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9675802Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating the lower back and abdominal muscles in a patient comprising applying a first electrode A1/A2 substantially centrally to the lower lumbar region of the patient's body, and applying second and third electrodes B, C respectively to opposite side flanks of the patient's body. The electrodes are energized to apply a first group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the second and third electrodes and a second group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes alternately.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin, Bio-Medical Research Ltd.Inventors: Louis Crowe, Brian Caulfield, Conor Minogue
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Patent number: 8494658Abstract: A method of and apparatus for stimulating pelvic floor muscles in a patient comprises applying at least one electrode externally to each side of the patient's body in the region of the pelvis, and energising the electrodes to apply a muscular stimulation current which flows laterally across the patient through the patient's pelvic floor. Preferably a plurality of electrodes are applied symmetrically on each side of the body. The electrodes may be incorporated in a garment.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignees: University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin, Bio-Medical Research LimitedInventors: Louis Crowe, Brian Caulfield, Ruth Maher, Conor Minogue
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Patent number: 8209030Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical current to the quadriceps muscle. The apparatus is in the form of a garment (to be worn on a user's thigh) having a integrated programmable stimulation device including integral electronics, LCD display, user controls and a battery. To ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the garment, it is shaped such that it locates above the patella. Furthermore, reference lines are provided on the skin facing surface of the garment to assist the user in the accurate placement of skin engaging electrodes. In combination, the features of the invention provides a safe and convenient means of electrically stimulating the quadriceps muscle irrespective of patient size whilst minimizing the opportunity for error. Moreover, the invention dispenses with the need to employ a skilled clinician to individually place each electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Bio Medical ResearchInventors: Conor Minogue, Louis Crowe, Leonie Heskin
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Publication number: 20120116477Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating the lower back and abdominal muscles in a patient comprising applying a first electrode A1/A2 substantially centrally to the lower lumbar region of the patient's body, and applying second and third electrodes B, C respectively to opposite side flanks of the patient's body. The electrodes are energised to apply a first group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the second and third electrodes and a second group of muscular stimulation current pulses which flow between the first electrode and the second and third electrodes alternately.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: BIO-MEDICAL RESEARCH LTD.Inventors: Louis Crowe, Brian Caulfield, Conor Minogue
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Publication number: 20110276108Abstract: A method of and apparatus for stimulating pelvic floor muscles in a patient comprises applying at least one electrode externally to each side of the patient's body in the region of the pelvis, and energising the electrodes to apply a muscular stimulation current which flows laterally across the patient through the patient's pelvic floor. Preferably a plurality of electrodes are applied symmetrically on each side of the body. The electrodes may be incorporated in a garment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicants: Bio-Medical Research Limited, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, DublinInventors: Louis Crowe, Brian Caulfield, Ruth Maher, Conor Minogue
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Publication number: 20110208266Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical current to the quadriceps muscle. The apparatus is in the form of a garment (to be worn on a user's thigh) having a integrated programmable stimulation device including integral electronics, LCD display, user controls and a battery. To ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the garment, it is shaped such that it locates above the patella. Furthermore, reference lines are provided on the skin facing surface of the garment to assist the user in the accurate placement of skin engaging electrodes. In combination, the features of the invention provides a safe and convenient means of electrically stimulating the quadriceps muscle irrespective of patient size whilst minimizing the opportunity for error. Moreover, the invention dispenses with the need to employ a skilled clinician to individually place each electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Conor Minogue, Louis Crowe, Leonie Heskin
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Patent number: 7957816Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical current to the quadriceps muscle. The apparatus is in the form of a garment (to be worn on a user's thigh) having a integrated programmable stimulation device including integral electronics, LCD display, user controls and a battery. To ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the garment, it is shaped such that it locates above the patella. Furthermore, reference lines are provided on the skin facing surface of the garment to assist the user in the accurate placement of skin engaging electrodes. In combination, the features of the invention provides a safe and convenient means of electrically stimulating the quadriceps muscle irrespective of patient size whilst minimizing the opportunity for error. Moreover, the invention dispenses with the need to employ a skilled clinician to individually place each electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: BMR Research & Development LimitedInventors: Conor Monogue, Louis Crowe, Leonie Heskin
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Publication number: 20100234919Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject, comprising an attachment mechanism for extending around the torso of the subject and a main locating element provided on the attachment mechanism for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject. Two secondary locating elements are also provided on the attachment mechanism disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode. Application of at least one pulsed signal to the subject through the respective central and side electrodes stimulates the abdominal muscles of the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: BMR Research & Development LimitedInventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Patent number: 7747327Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject, comprising an attachment mechanism for extending around the torso of the subject and a main locating element provided on the attachment mechanism for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject. Two secondary locating elements are also provided on the attachment mechanism disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode. Application of at least one pulsed signal to the subject through the respective central and side electrodes stimulates the abdominal muscles of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: BMR Research & Development LimitedInventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Publication number: 20070293911Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating a muscle of a subject are provided. The apparatus comprises a signal generator for generating an electrical pulse signal of a frequency and a current amplitude for inducing contractions in the muscle, and an electrode apparatus for applying the signal to nerves associated with the muscle to be stimulated or adjacent the muscle of the subject for stimulating the muscle. The frequency and current amplitude of the electrical pulse signal are selected so as to maximize the bulk of the muscle being subjected to the contractions so as to generate a shivering phenomenon therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Louis Crowe, Brian Caulfield
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Publication number: 20070106343Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical current to the quadriceps muscle. The apparatus is in the form of a garment (to be worn on a user's thigh) having a integrated programmable stimulation device including integral electronics, LCD display, user controls and a battery. To ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the garment, it is shaped such that it locates above the patella. Furthermore, reference lines are provided on the skin facing surface of the garment to assist the user in the accurate placement of skin engaging electrodes. In combination, the features of the invention provides a safe and convenient means of electrically stimulating the quadriceps muscle irrespective of patient size whilst minimizing the opportunity for error. Moreover, the invention dispenses with the need to employ a skilled clinician to individually place each electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2004Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: B M R Research & Developments LimitedInventors: Conor Monogue, Louis Crowe, Leonie Haskin
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Publication number: 20060212789Abstract: A method and a technology has been developed to improve reading and skimming speed. Not all words are necessary for understanding so these words may be substituted or removed from the text to facilitate reading the text at a higher speed. A set of rules determines which words can be substituted/removed and what proportion of a document can be substituted/removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Applicant: Cucoco LtdInventors: Louis Crowe, Michael Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 7069089Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject, comprising an attachment mechanism for extending around the torso of the subject and a main locating element provided on the attachment mechanism for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject. Two secondary locating elements are also provided on the attachment mechanism disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode. Application of at least one pulsed signal to the subject through the respective central and side electrodes stimulates the abdominal muscles of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Bio-Medical Research Ltd.Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Patent number: 6885896Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject. The device comprises an attachment mechanism for extending around the torso of the subject and a main locating element on the attachment mechanism for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject. Two secondary locating elements are also provided on the attachment mechanism disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode in a general direction towards a corresponding one of the right and left mid-axillary lines of the torso intermediate the rib cage and corresponding right and left iliac crests. By applying at least one pulsed signal to the subject through the respective central and side electrodes, abdominal muscles of the subject are stimulated.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Bio-Medical Research Ltd.Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Patent number: 6760629Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject. The device comprises an attachment mechanism that further comprises a main locating element for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes, and two secondary locating elements disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode. A receiver is also provided for receiving a signal generated by a signal generator for generating at least one pulsed signal. A selector is also provided for selecting one or more of the electrodes through which a pulsed signal is to be applied.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Bio-Medical Research Ltd.Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Patent number: 6728577Abstract: A method for stimulating abdominal muscles of a subject, comprising the steps of providing at least three electrodes, one of the at least three electrodes being a central electrode and the other two of the at least three electrodes being side electrodes located on the subject spaced apart from the central electrode on respective sides thereof, and passing at least one pulsed signal subcutaneously through the subject between selected electrodes of the at least three electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Bio-Medical Research Ltd.Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Publication number: 20020133195Abstract: An electrotherapeutic device for stimulating muscles of a muscle group of a subject, comprising a plurality of electrodes for placing on the subject for applying at least one pulsed signal to the subject for stimulating the muscles. The device further comprises a signal for generating the at least one pulsed signal, and a generator selector for selectively selecting the electrodes in electrode pairs for selectively applying the at least one pulsed signal to the selected electrode pairs for selective stimulation of the muscles of the muscle group.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Publication number: 20020128686Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject, comprising an attachment mechanism for extending around the torso of the subject and a main locating element provided on the attachment mechanism for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes adjacent the umbilicus of the subject. Two secondary locating elements are also provided on the attachment mechanism disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode. Application of at least one pulsed signal to the subject through the respective central and side electrodes stimulates the abdominal muscles of the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Publication number: 20020128693Abstract: A device for attaching at least three electrodes to a subject for stimulating abdominal muscles of the subject. The device comprises an attachment mechanism that further comprises a main locating element for locating a central electrode of the at least three electrodes, and two secondary locating elements disposed on respective opposite sides of the main locating element for locating two corresponding side electrodes of the at least three electrodes spaced apart from the central electrode. A receiver is also provided for receiving a signal generated by a signal generator for generating at least one pulsed signal. A selector is also provided for selecting one or more of the electrodes through which a pulsed signal is to be applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Michael Conor Minogue, Michael Louis Crowe
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Patent number: D472640Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Bio-Medical Research LimitedInventors: Louis Crowe, Francis Keating, Seamus Monley, Kevin Walsh