Abstract: Composite electrode pads/plugs are configured to be utilized in an electrical stimulator device, particularly one designed to provide surface-applied electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation (eToims®). The composite pads/plugs include a porous liquid absorbent (e.g., felt) plug sized to be placed in a receptacle of the stimulator device, and a composite pad of porous liquid absorbent (e.g., cotton) material that covers the plug. In an embodiment, the composite pad is formed of cotton stuffing material encased between two sheets of cotton mesh/pad material. The composite pads/plugs can serve to increase, and improve wetting of, the surface area which contacts the patient and delivers the electrical stimulation. In addition to convenience of application, the disclosed structures have been found to help reduce sharp pain felt by the patient during stimulation, without interfering with the ability of the electricity to penetrate deeply in order to provide effective eToims®.

Abstract: A modality of electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation pain relief therapy utilizes a surface probe with a conductive tip to apply surface electrical stimulation of relatively high voltage locally and focally to muscle motor points and regions of adjacent motor end plate zones. The surface-applied electrical stimulation through intact skin readily facilitates the elicitation of forceful twitch responses from muscle fibers associated with the stimulated motor points and motor end plate zones, without requiring needle penetration into the patient's flesh. Rapid movement between multiple treatment sites is possible allowing treatment of a larger number of muscle motor point areas in afflicted muscles and more muscles to be treated in a single treatment session. The therapeutic effect of the twitches increases with the force and number of the twitches.

Abstract: A bipolar stimulator probe suitable for application of intramuscular stimulation provides an active stimulator electrode and a reference electrode as part of a single tool. The separation between the electrodes is significantly greater than the electrode separation of known bipolar stimulator probes and bipolar bar electrode configurations. The probe tool may be configured to permit adjustment of the fixed relative position of the electrodes within a given range. By providing a relatively wide spacing between the two electrodes, the tool can be used to approximate the effect of monopolar stimulation with a separate reference electrode, with the electrical stimulus producing less pain to the patient compared to bipolar stimulation where the two electrodes are spaced apart by only 2-4 cm or less.

Abstract: A bipolar stimulator probe suitable for application of intramuscular stimulation provides an active stimulator electrode and a reference electrode as part of a single tool. The separation between the electrodes is significantly greater than the electrode separation of known bipolar stimulator probes and bipolar bar electrode configurations. The probe tool may be configured to permit adjustment of the fixed relative position of the electrodes within a given range. By providing a relatively wide spacing between the two electrodes, the tool can be used to approximate the effect of monopolar stimulation with a separate reference electrode, with the electrical stimulus producing less pain to the patient compared to bipolar stimulation where the two electrodes are spaced apart by only 2-4 cm or less.