Patents Assigned to ESD Limited Liability Company
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Patent number: 8965535Abstract: An electrode for use in applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the pharyngeal region of a patient includes a connector to which a lead wire may be attached, a conductive film that is in electrical contact with the connector and an adhesive and conductive gel layer that is attached to the conductive film and adapted to be attached to the skin of the pharyngeal region of the patient. The electrode is sized and configured to conduct current at a density no greater than about 0.1244 mA/mM2 to the skin of the pharyngeal region for treatment of an oropharyngeal disorder.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: ESD Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Ed Dunlay, Tim Kretschmer
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Patent number: 7039468Abstract: A simple, non-invasive method and apparatus for treating oropharyngeal disorders provides electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region of a patient. The apparatus includes an electrical neuromuscular stimulator that includes a pulse generator for generating a series of electrical pulses and a processor coupled to the pulse generator for controlling its operation. The apparatus also includes a first electrode and a second electrode, each of which includes a snap eyelet having a connector to which a lead wire may be attached, a conductive film and an adhesive and conductive gel layer that is adapted to be attached to the skin of the patient. The apparatus also includes at least one lead wire for attachment of the electrodes to the pulse generator and at least one adhesively backed tape overlay for securing the first and second electrodes to the skin of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: ESD Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Marcy L. Freed, Leonard A. Freed, Michael O. Christian, Howard Tucker, Bernard Kotton, Erol M. Beytas, Ed Dunlay, Tim Kretschmer, Marie Asmar
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Patent number: 6198970Abstract: A simple, non-invasive device and method for treating oropharyngeal, respiratory, and oral motor neuromuscular disorders provides electrical stimulation to various regions of a patient. The method and device offer an effective and non-invasive treatment for these disorders. The device is an electrical neuromuscular stimulator that includes a pulse generator for generating a series of electrical pulses and a processor coupled to the pulse generator for controlling its operation. An electrode array of uni-directional or bi-directional electrodes is coupled to the pulse generator and provides electrical stimulation to the appropriate neck, chest, or facial region of the patient. Using bi-directional snap electrodes, for example, the electrode array may also generate electrical feedback signals in response to the neuromuscular stimulation of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: ESD Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Marcy L. Freed, Howard Tucker
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Patent number: 6104958Abstract: This invention is directed to a simple, non-invasive method and device for treating dysphagia and artificially promoting swallowing by electrical stimulus. In the present invention, a plurality of electrodes are selectively placed in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of patient and a series of electrical pulses in electrical contact with each of the plurality of electrodes with a generator. The generator includes a pulse rate modulator for generating each of the electrical pulses having a frequency generally fixed at 80 hertz, a pulse width modulator for generating each pulse of the series of electrical pulses at a duration generally fixed at 300 microseconds, and a governor for regulating the electrical pulses such that at least one of current so as not to exceed 4.4 milliamps RMS or power so as not to exceed 9.6 MW RMS. The electrical pulses selectively stimulate muscles located proximate to the selectively placed electrodes to initiate swallowing.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: ESD Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Marcy L. Freed, Leonard A. Freed, Michael O. Christian, Howard Tucker, Bernard Kotton, Erol M. Beytas, Marie Asmar
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Patent number: 5891185Abstract: A simple, non-invasive device and method for treating oropharyngeal disorders provides electrical stimulation to the pharyngeal region of a patient. Oropharyngeal disorders may cause an inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing. The method and device provide an effective and non-invasive treatment for these disorders which is substantially more effective than traditional treatment methods, such as thermal stimulation. The method and device also effectively treat worst-case dysphagia (the inability to swallow) resulting from neurodegeneration and strokes. The device, an electrical pharyngeal neuromuscular stimulator, includes one or more pulse generators for generating a series of electrical pulses and a processor coupled to the pulse generators for controlling their operation. A switching network is also coupled to the pulse generators.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: ESD Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Marcy L. Freed, Leonard A. Freed, Michael O. Christian, Howard Tucker, Bernard Kotton, Erol M. Beytas, Marie Asmar
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Patent number: 5725564Abstract: This invention is directed to a simple, non-invasive method and device for treating dysphagia and artificially promoting swallowing by electrical stimulus. In the present invention, a plurality of electrodes are selectively placed in electrical contact with tissue of a pharyngeal region of patient and a series of electrical pulses in electrical contact with each of the plurality of electrodes with a generator. The generator includes a pulse rate modulator for generating each of the electrical pulses having a frequency generally fixed at 80 hertz, a pulse width modulator for generating each pulse of the series of electrical pulses at a duration generally fixed at 300 microseconds, and a governor for regulating the electrical pulses such that at least one of current so as not to exceed 4.4 milliamps RMS or power so as not to exceed 9.6 MW RMS. The electrical pulses selectively stimulate muscles located proximate to the selectively placed electrodes to initiate swallowing.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: ESD Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Marcy L. Freed, Leonard A. Freed, Michael O. Christian, Howard Tucker, Bernard Kotton, Erol M. Beytas, Marie Asmar