Abstract: An electronic stimulating device for wound healing and, more particularly, for enhancing healing of soft tissue wounds. The device includes a plurality of signal generators for generating output pulses suitable for enhancing healing of soft tissue wounds by application of the output pulses through electrodes to the soft tissue to be healed. Two pairs of active electrodes are included along with a pair of return electrodes. Control signals from a pulse generator control generation of the output pulses and a digital timer is included for causing treatmet for a predetermined period of time. The intensity, polarity, and rate of the output pulses can be varied by rotation of control knobs on the front panel of the device or, alternately, can be effected by a series of switches located on the front panel of the device, with varying intensities of output being indicated by brightness varying light emitting diodes.

Abstract: Wound healing therapy utilizing pulsed electrical stimulation is disclosed with the process including repeated short treatments of electrical stimulation applied to a soft tissue wound through an active electrode positioned preferably at the wound and with a dispersive electrode positioned at a distance from the wound. The active electrode positioned at the wound is normally caused to have negative pulses applied therethrough to the wound during a first treatment period of a treatment cycle, and thereafter is made to have positive pulses applied therethrough to the wound during a second treatment period of the treatment cycle, with the treatment cycle being preferably thereafter repeated one or more times in treating most wounds, and with the negative pulses causing debriding of the wound.

Abstract: Nerve fiber stimulation is disclosed using a symmetrical biphasic waveform applied through plural active electrodes to increase the activity of the nerve fibers then selected for stimulation. Bi-phased pulse pairs are repeatedly symmetrically generated and applied to the nerve fibers to be stimulated with the first pulse of each pulse pair being a positive polarity pulse applied through a first electrode to cause the nerve fibers to be set into the refractory period and with the second pulse of each pulse pair being a negative polarity pulse applied through the first electrode to occur substantially at the end of the refractory period for the nerve fibers then to be stimulated to thereby excite those nerve fibers.

Abstract: Nerve fiber stimulation is disclosed to substantially increase the activity of the then selected nerve fibers, with optimization being achieved through utilization of electrical pulses that are caused to occur in a predetermined pattern with respect to polarity, spacing, frequency and duration so as to interact with the electroneurophysiological characteristics of the particular nerve fibers then to be electrically stimulated.

Abstract: Optimization of nerve fiber stimulation to substantially increase the activity of the then selected nerve fibers is disclosed, with optimization being achieved through utilization of electrical pulses that are caused to occur in a predetermined pattern with respect to polarity, spacing, frequency and duration so as to interact with the electro-neurophysiological characteristics of the particular nerve fibers then to be electrically stimulated.

Abstract: A simplified transcutaneous nerve stimulating device is disclosed that combines simplicity of structure with dependability of operation. The device utilizes a 45 volt battery source for circuitry simplification by eliminating the need for circuitry such as voltage multipliers, with the battery source powering an oscillator and a pair of constant current regulated drive circuits from which pulses are alternately coupled to isolated output pairs connectable with electrodes positionable on the skin of a user for imparting stimulation pulses to the body of the user for pain suppression.

Abstract: A positive displacement intravenous infusion pump device and method are disclosed to precisely meter intravenous fluid to a patient. Intravenous fluid to be injected into the vein of a patient is placed in a closed rigid fluid container, and a variable (but fixed for each administration) quantity of incompressible material, stored in a separate receptacle, is introduced into the fluid container to cause displacement of fluid from the container to thereby inject the fluid into the vein of the patient. Introduction of incompressible material is controlled so that the intravenous fluid is injected in a controlled manner into the vein of the patient.

Abstract: A temperature indicative hotpack is disclosed. A temperature monitoring unit has an indicating portion and a sensing portion with the monitoring unit being mounted on one liquid permeable wall enclosing a heat retaining material so that the temperature of the heat retaining material is accurately determined by the sensing portion within the enclosure and displayed externally of the enclosure by means of the indicating portion so that the hotpack can be safely and effectively utilized.

Abstract: A disposable electrode is disclosed that is air-permeable over at least that portion of the electrode that is engageable with the skin of a patient, and is non-metallic and nonionic. The electrode includes a conductive silicone pad adapted to receive one end of an electrical lead from an active electrical instrument, and particularly an electronic medical instrument such as a transcutaneous nerve stimulator. The pad engages a permeable conductive element that is skin engageable through a permeable conductive adhesive coating. The permeable conductive element is formed primarily from karaya and carbon black so that the element can "breathe". The permeable conductive adhesive coating is likewise formed primarily from karaya so that the coating can also "breathe".

Abstract: A miniaturized transcutaneous nerve stimulator is disclosed that utilizes a single 1.25 volt battery as the power source, yet provides a 30 volt DC power output over an extended period of time. The battery is connected to the primary winding of a step-up transformer with the primary also having a transistor connected in series therewith. The secondary winding of the transformer is connected with a full wave diode bridge circuit and a 30 volt Zener diode. Pulsing circuitry is also provided which includes a pulse rate and pulse width establishing multivibrators which are coupled through a buffer to a pair of Darlington amplifiers, which are also connected with the Zener diode and full wave diode bridge circuit. The output from the stimulator is coupled from the Darlington amplifiers, which amplifiers have a charging circuit connected therewith, to output terminals connectable with electrodes engagable with the skin surface of the subject.

Abstract: A transcutaneous nerve stimulator as disclosed that is useful for suppression of organic pain. The stimulator device is relatively small in overall dimensions and is therefore portable yet provides a rectangular waveform with the output signal produced being sufficient to drive a capacitive resistance load of at least 2.2K ohms in parallel with 0.1Mfd with a maximum rise and fall time of 12 microseconds. The device is powered by a pair of NI-CD batteries providing a 2.5 volt input and produces a maximum 80 volt peak pulse output having a maximum duration of .10 milliseconds at a pulse rate between 20pps and 180pps. Potentiometers are provided to vary the pulse rate, the duty cycle, and output pulse amplitude as is necessary or desirable for a particular patient.