Abstract: A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) apparatus includes first, second, and third oscillators. The first oscillator produces a first train of pulses at a main frequency. The second oscillator produces a second train of pulses at a modulation frequency. Output levels of the second train of pulses vary as a function of the modulation frequency. A frequency control simultaneously controls both the main and modulation frequencies. The third oscillator is responsive to the first and second oscillators and produces a third train of pulses at the main frequency. Intensity and frequency of the pulses of the third pulse train are modulated as a function of the output levels of the second train of pulses. An output driver responsive to the third oscillator converts the third train of pulses into a train of stimulation pulses having electrical characteristics adapted to be applied to a human body to suppress pain.

Abstract: An intravaginal electrode and controller for preventing female urinary incontinence. The electrode includes an elongated and generally cylindrical carrier having a rounded tip, an extended lip, and a neck of reduced diameter located approximately eight centimeters from the lip. A pair of annular motor electrodes are positioned on an exterior surface of the carrier at longitudinally spaced locations on opposite sides of the neck. Sensory electrodes and an oscillatory transducer are mounted to the carrier adjacent the lip. Motor receptor electrical stimulation signals received from the controller are coupled to the motor electrodes and directly stimulate pelvic floor musculature. Sensory receptor electrical stimulation signals are coupled to sensory receptors through the sensory electrodes while tactile receptors are stimulated by mechanical oscillations from the oscillatory transducer.

Abstract: A vaginal stimulator adapted to be inserted into a woman's vagina to stimulate and constrict muscles therein and prevent the flow of urine through the urethra. A vaginal plug having a conical tip includes a power supply, pulse generator, on/off switch and intensity control switch mounted therein. Electrodes coupled to the pulse generator are positioned on an exterior surface of the vaginal plug. A disposable condom is unrolled over the vaginal plug and includes conductive elements which are positioned in electrical contact with the electrodes to carry the electric pulses to the muscles.

Abstract: A live display apparatus for setting extension and flexion limits in a continuous passive motion (CPM) system. The CPM system includes a carriage for supporting a patient's limb through a range of reciprocal angular movement, a drive motor for driving the carriage, a carriage state sensor for providing a signal representative of carriage state and a control unit responsive to the carriage state sensor for controlling the drive motor. The live display apparatus includes an operator controlled extension limit select switch which is operatively coupled to the control unit. The select switch causes the carriage to be driven through its range of movement to a desired extension limit when actuated during an extension limit select mode. Data representative of the selected extension limit is stored in extension memory. An extension limit display is responsive to the control unit and provides a visual display indicative of the extension limit selected.

Abstract: Safety features for a continuous motion therapy system of the type including a carriage for supporting a patient's limb, a drive unit for driving the carriage through a range of reciprocal angular movement, first and second channel neuromuscular stimulators for applying electrical stimulation to muscles of a patient's limb, and a controller for controlling the drive unit and stimulators. Both stimulator channels must be turned OFF after the controller is powered up before either stimulator channel will operate. The drive unit is enclosed by a cover. When pressure on the cover is sensed, the controller stops and reverses the direction of the carriage. The drive unit includes a drive motor which is coupled to the carriage by a linkage. Limit switches provide limit signals when the linkage reaches predetermined limit positions. In response, the controller stops and reverses direction of the carriage.

Abstract: A vaginal stimulator adapted to be inserted into a women's vagina to stimulate and constrict muscles therein and prevent the flow of urine through the urethra. A vaginal plug having a conical tip includes a power supply, pulse generator, on/off switch and intensity control switch mounted therein. Electrodes coupled to the pulse generator are positioned on an exterior surface of the vaginal plug. A disposable condom is unrolled over the vaginal plug and includes conductive elements which are positioned in electrical contact with the electrodes to carry the electric pulses to the muscles.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an electrical stimulation signal adapted to be applied to a patient's jaw muscle, thereby causing the jaw to open and preventing bruxism. The apparatus includes electrodes positioned to sense an electromyographic (EMG) signal indicative of jaw muscle activity and jaw clenching. A control circuit produces a control signal when the EMG signal exceeds a threshold value indicative of a predetermined level of jaw muscle activity. Stimulator means produce the stimulation signal in the form of a pulse train when triggered by the control signal. The threshold value and intensity of the stimulation signal are adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for mobilization of a human limb includes a carriage for supporting the limb through a range of angular movement and a carriage drive which provides an interrupted drive force to the carriage in the form of alternating drive and pause periods. A stimulation device applies electrical stimulation to muscles of the limb intermittently and in a predetermined temporal relationship to the drive and pause periods. The apparatus makes possible a dithered or vibratory movement of the limb, rather than continuous motion, and offers a wide range of therapeutic modes.

Abstract: A muscle stimulator system produces an electrical output pulse train which provides functional electrical stimulation (FES) of muscles or muscle groups. The muscle stimulator system includes a clinical device (which is line powered and independently programmable) and a battery-operated personal device (which can be programmed using the clinical device). In addition, external memory modules are provided to store the FES regimens established in the clinical device during the PROGRAM mode. The clinical device is capable of retrieving the FES regimens from the external memory module. The personal device includes a manually operated amplitude control which provides an amplitude control signal for controlling the amplitude of the output pulse train.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integral disposal electrode for establishing a low impedance electrical connection to a patient's skin. A web of flexible electrically nonconductive adhesive tape, a web of flexible electrically conductive sheet material, a web of flexible biocompatible electrically conductive adhesive polymer material, and a web of nonadhesive protective material are provided and laminated together to form a composite web. The web of adhesive polymer material has a width at least essentially equal to a width of the conductive sheet material web, and less than a width of the nonconductive adhesive tape web. Electrical terminals are attached to the web of conductive sheet material at spaced longitudinal locations. Individual electrodes are formed by severing the laminated composite web in a transverse direction at positions between adjacent spaced electrical terminals.

Abstract: A leg exercise orthosis supports the leg of a patient while causing movement of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The apparatus includes a frame; a femur support; a tibia support which is pivotally connected to the femur support; a double four-bar linkage which connects the frame, the femur support, and the tibia support; and a drive motor connected to the double four-bar linkage. As it is driven by the drive motor, the double four bar linkage guides motion of the femur and tibia supports so that femur support pivots about a virtual pivot axis which essentially corresponds to the pivot axis of the hip joint of the leg.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for promoting healing of injured tissue, such as fractured bone, with interacting electric current and a magnetic flux field. Electrodes are adhesively attached to the skin adjacent the injured tissue. One or more coil assemblies normally spaced from the electrodes are located adjacent the tissue in alignment with the fractured bone. A current generator electrically connected to the electrodes operates to provide electric current pulses to the electrodes. A field generator electrically connected to the coil assemblies is operable to energize the coil assemblies to produce magnetic field pulses. The pulse generator and field generator are electrically coupled to maintain the electrode current pulses and magnetic field pulses in fixed phase relationship to produce a net current in the region of the fractured bone and generally perpendicular to the plane of the fracture.

Abstract: A transcutaneous electrode device permits an electrical signal to be transmitted to or received from an anatomical site of a human patient when that site is covered by an intervening plaster or synthetic cast. The device includes a flange assembly and a collar assembly (which cooperate to capture the cast and define an aperture through the cast) and an electrode tampon assembly (which is inserted through the aperture to provide electrical contact to the anatomical site). The electrode tampon assembly includes an external barrel or carrier which is insertable in the aperture, an electrically conductive medium (such as a sponge saturated with a conductive fluid) carried at the distal end of the barrel, and an electrical connector at the proximal end of the barrel. A coil spring urges the conductive medium into contact with the anatomical site and provides electrical connection between the conductive medium and the electrical connector.

Abstract: A muscle stimulator provides an electrical output pulse train which provides functional electrical stimulation (FES) of muscles or muscle groups. The muscle stimulator includes a manually operated amplitude control which provides an amplitude control signal for controlling the amplitude of the output pulse train. During a PROGRAM mode, a clinician manipulates the amplitude control to establish a desired FES regimen. An analog-to-digital converter periodically samples the amplitude control signal during the PROGRAM mode, and data from the analog-to-digital converter is stored. When an EXECUTE mode is selected, the pulse width of the output pulse train is automatically controlled as a function of the stored data to reproduce the desired FES regimen which had been established during the PROGRAM mode.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion (CPM) apparatus mobilizes the knee joint of a patient's leg. In order to achieve total extension of the leg, the CPM apparatus pauses each time the extension end position is reached. A neuro-muscular stimulator (NMS) is enabled to provide stimulation to the patient's quadriceps muscle to effect a total extension of the leg. At the end of the pause interval, the NMS turns off, and the CPM resumes motion.