AU2019377008A1

AU2019377008A1 - Therapeutic wearable article

Info

Publication number: AU2019377008A1
Application number: AU2019377008A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anusha Nair GANGADARAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2019-10-31
Publication date: 2021-04-15
Also published as: WO2020096444A1

Abstract

A therapeutic wearable article and a method for delivering an electric pulse to a treatment site of a user, wherein the article (100) comprises a flexible body (101) formed of a flexible material and wearable around the site. A set of conductor pads (102a – 102f) and connector elements (103a, 103b) attached to the body (101). An electric circuit is embedded within the body (101) for connecting the connector elements (103a, 103b) to the corresponding conductor pads (102a - 102f).

Description

THERAPEUTIC WEARABLE ARTICLE

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to therapeutic device, in particular to a therapeutic wearable article for delivering an electric pulse to a user.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, infirmities have been treated through various means including oral or local medications, physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation and surgery. Apart from these conventional ways, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) are the widely used nonpharmacologic and noninvasive treatments for pain. TENS and EMS reduce pain through activating sites in spinal cord and brainstem that utilize opioid, serotonin, and muscarinic receptors or by activating opioid and a-2 noradrenergic receptors at sites. In TENS and EMS, electric pulses are applied at the required sites using multiple electrode patches made of conductive sponge, rubber or elastomers. In rare cases, a layer of woven metal mesh material is used as an electrode to deliver the pulses to a treatment site. Such mesh material is formed into different wearable products such as glove, sock, sleeve and the like, so that it is easy to attach the electrode to the user.

United States Patent Publication no.: US 2002/0077689 A1 discloses an elastomeric garment holding pre-positioned electrodes for EMS/TENS users. The electrodes are interconnected by wires routed through seams in the suit. A color- coded connection between output terminals of a stimulation device and an interface connector enables selectively directing the pulses to one or more electrodes to thereby target specific muscle groups of the user. However, delivering pulses of opposite polarities to adjacently positioned electrodes, especially for joints, needs a highly complicated wiring arrangement. There is therefore a need in the art for a device for delivering an electric pulse to a user, which is simple in arrangement and effective in delivering pulses to complex body parts without a need for an expert.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure proposes a therapeutic wearable article and method for delivering an electric pulse to a treatment site of a user. The article comprises a flexible body formed of a flexible material and wearable around the site. Two sets of electrical conductor pads are attached to the body, such that the pads come in contact with the site when the article is in use. Two connector elements are attached to the body for connecting to a pulse generator through cables. An electric circuit is embedded within the body for connecting the connector elements to the corresponding conductor pads.

In one aspect of the present invention, the electric circuit includes two electrically conductive elements isolated from each other, wherein a first electrically conductive element connects a first connector element to a first set of electrical conductor pads, and a second electrically conductive element connects a second connector element to a second set of electrical conductor pads. When the body is worn by the user, the conductor pads are aligned with respect to the site such that each conductor pad is positioned adjacent an oppositely polarized conductor pad. The first connector element is connected to a positive terminal of the pulse generator and the second connector element is connected to a negative terminal of the pulse generator.

In a preferred embodiment when the body is worn around a knee joint, four conductor pads are aligned around an anterior portion of the knee joint, while two conductor pads are aligned against a posterior portion of the knee joint. As the conductor pads are attached to the body, there no need for an expert to position the pads on the site. Further, the opposite polarities of adjacent pads allow stimulation of complex body parts i.e. joints, with higher accuracy without a need for sophisticated wiring arrangements.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference numerals. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference numerals with a second numeral that distinguishes among the similar components. One reference numeral can be used for referring to same feature in different embodiments described in the description. FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic rear view of the therapeutic wearable article, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic front view of the article shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a diagrammatic front view of the article, shown in FIG. 1 , worn by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a diagrammatic rear view of the article worn, shown in FIG. 1 , by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C illustrates a diagrammatic perspective view of the article worn, shown in FIG. 1 , by a user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagrammatic exploded rear view of the article, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic exploded front view of the article shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a diagrammatic rear view of the assembled article shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a diagrammatic front view of the article, shown in FIG. 4, worn by a user, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagrammatic rear view of the article, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a diagrammatic top view of the article shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagrammatic top view of the article, shown in FIG. 4, when contracted, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an article and method for delivering an electric pulse to a treatment site of a user, which will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description relates purely to the embodiments and suggested applications thereof.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiment in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processes are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiment herein. Accordingly, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment herein.

The description hereinafter, of the specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify or adapt or perform both for various applications such specific embodiment without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The present disclosure relates to a wearable article for delivering an electric pulse to a treatment site of a user. The article includes multiple conductor pads attached to a flexible body and an electric circuit embedded within the body to connect the conductor pads to a pulse generator. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that various embodiments of the present disclosure enable easy positioning of the pads on the site and stimulating complex body parts with higher accuracy. Embodiments herein enable delivering electric pulses to most appropriate locations of a treatment site to provide better treatment for a medical condition without a need for an expert for positioning electrodes at a preferred or desired site.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatic rear view of the article for delivering an electric pulse, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The article (100) comprises a flexible body (101 ) formed of a flexible material and wearable by a user. In a preferred embodiment, the body (101 ) is formed as an X-shaped brace to be worn around the user’s knee joint. The flexible material can include but not limited to fabric, plastic, rubber or any other flexible electrically insulative material. Two ends of the body (101 ) are attached with first fastening elements (105a) at a rear side, while opposite ends of the body (101 ) are attached with second fastening elements (105b, shown in FIG. 2) at a front side for mating with the corresponding first fastening elements to secure the body (101 ) against the knee joint (as shown in FIGs. 3A - 3C). The fastening elements (105a, 105b) may include but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, push button fasteners, belt fasteners, adhesive fasteners and the like.

A plurality of electrical conductor pads (102a - 102f) is attached to a rear side of the body (101 ) to be in contact with the knee joint when the article (100) is in use. The conductor pads (102a - 102f) are made of an electrically conductive material such as metal, metallic paint, graphite and conductive rubber or polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the conductor pads (102a - 102f) are made of copper. Similarly, the conductor pads (102a - 102f) are made as circular plates to avoid damaging a skin surface of the user, even though it is possible to form the conductor pads (102a - 102f) in other shapes. Further, the conductor pads (102 a - 102f) may also be formed as suction pads or adhesive gel pads to secure the body (101 ) in position, which avoids a need for the fastening elements (105a, 105b).

Two connector elements (103a, 103b) are attached to the body (101 ) for detachably connecting to a pulse generator (10) through cables (20). The connector elements (103a, 103b) can be any type of commercially available electrical connectors that is capable of establishing a mating connection with corresponding connectors fixed to one end of the cables (20). For example, the connector elements (103a, 103b) may be push in connectors or button type connectors such as battery button connector and the like. Other end of the cables is connected to the pulse generator (10). In a preferred embodiment, the pulse generator (10) is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS or TNS) machine. Flowever, in an alternate embodiment, the pulse generator (10) may be any commercially available wired or portable electric pulse generator that can be removably attached to the body (101 ) and powered by one or more batteries. Further, the pulse generator (10) may include a wired or wireless remote controller operable by the user to adjust one or more attributes e.g. frequency, shape, magnitude and the like, of the electric pulses. The connector elements (103a, 103b) are attached to a front side of the body (101 ), as shown in FIG. 2.

An electric circuit is embedded within the body (101 ) for connecting the connector elements (103a, 103b) to the corresponding conductor pads (102a - 102f). The electric circuit includes two conductive elements (104a, 104b) electrically isolated from each other. The conductive elements (104a, 104b) may be any commercially available electric wires or metallic strips separated by an insulative material. Further, each conductive element (104a, 104b) may be a single continuous wire or metallic strip or multiple wires or metallic strips connected together through any conventional fastening means e.g. soldering.

A first conductive element (104a) connects a first connector element (103a) to a first set of conductor pads (102a - 102c), and a second conductive element (104b) connects a second connector element (103b) to a second set of conductor pads (102d - 102f). In a preferred embodiment, the first connector element (103a) and the second connector element (103a) are connected to positive terminal (not shown) and negative terminal (not shown) of the pulse generator (10), respectively. In an alternate embodiment, the connector elements (103a, 103b) may be connected to the pulse generator (10) in reverse order.

As shown in FIGs. 3A - 3C, when the body (101 ) is worn by the user, the conductor pads (102a - 102f) are aligned with respect to the treatment site such that each of the conductor pads (102a - 102f) is positioned adjacent one or more oppositely polarized conductor pads (102a - 102f). In a preferred embodiment, when the body (101 ) is worn around the knee joint, four conductor pads (102a, 102c, 102d, 102f) are aligned around an anterior portion of the knee joint, while the two conductor pads (102b, 102e) are aligned against a posterior portion of the knee joint.

The method for delivering an electric pulse to the knee joint using the article (100) is explained in the following description with reference to the FIGs. 3A - 3C. Firstly, the body (101 ) is fastened around the knee joint, wherein the conductor pads (102a and 102f) are positioned above the knee joint, while the conductor pads (102c and 102d) are positioned below the knee joint, as shown in FIG. 3A. Further, the other conductor pads (102b and 102e) are positioned against a posterior portion of the knee joint, as shown in FIG. 3B.

After fastening the body, the connector elements (103a, 103b) are connected to the pulse generator (10) through the cables (20) for receiving the electric pulse, wherein the first connector element (103a) is connected a positive terminal of the pulse generator (10), while the second connector element (103b) is connected a negative terminal of the pulse generator (10). Finally, the electric pulse is delivered to the knee joint through the conductor pads (102a - 102f), when the pulse generator (10) is switched on. Since each connector element (103a, 103b) is connected to the corresponding set of conductor pads (102a - 102c) through a different conductive element (104a, 104b), opposite polarity of the connector elements (103b) results in position each conductor pad (102a - 102f) adjacent to one or more oppositely polarized conductor pads (102a - 102f) when the body (101 ) is worn, as shown in FIGs. 3A & 3B. As the conductor pads (102a - 102f) are attached to the body (101 ), there no need for an expert for positioning the conductor pads (102a - 102f) at appropriate positions on the site. Further, the opposite polarities of adjacent conductor pads (102a - 102f) allow stimulation of complex body parts i.e. joints, with higher accuracy without a need for complicated wiring arrangements.

FIGs 4 - 7 illustrate diagrammatic representations the article, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the article (100) comprises a flexible body (101 ) formed of two straps 9101 a, 101 b) detachably coupled to each other. Each strap (101 a, 101 b) includes a set of conductor pads (102a - 102f), a connector element (103a, 103b) and one or more fastening elements (105a, 105b).

In addition, the first strap (101 a) includes a pair of slits (106a), and the second strap (101 b) includes a pair of projections (106b). The second strap (101 b) is inserted through one of the slits (106a) and withdrawn through the other slit (106a) for detachably coupling the straps (101 a 101 b), as shown in FIG 6. The slits (106a) are spaced apart, such that one of the conductor pads (102d - 102f) is positioned between the slits (106a), when the straps (101 a, 101 b) are coupled to each other. Further, the projections (106b) are wider than a length of one or both of the slits (106a), and therefore limiting movement of the second strap (101 b) through the corresponding slit (106a).

A conductive element (104a, 104b) is embedded within each strap (101 a, 101 b) for connecting the connector element (103a) attached to the strap (101 a, 101 b) with corresponding conductor pads (102a - 102f). Thus, each conductor pad (102a - 102f) is polarized according to a polarity of the corresponding connector element (103a, 103b), and therefore delivering positive and negative electric pulses at corresponding locations on the site. As the straps (101 a, 101 b) form a crisscrossed structure, when worn by the user, it is possible to deliver positive and negative electric pulses through adjacent conductor pads (102a - 102f) without a need for complex wiring circuit between the conductor pads (102a - 102f) and the corresponding connector elements (103a, 103b). Since the straps (1 10a, 1 10b) are detachably coupled to each other, it is possible to wear the straps (1 10a, 1 10b) separately around different locations of a treatment site, as shown in FIG 7, according to a user’s requirements. In other embodiments, the straps (101 a, 101 b) may also be rotatably coupled to each other through a pivot joint.

In further embodiments, the body (101 ) may be formed with one or more foldable flaps (107) adjacent to each conductor pads (102a - 102f), as shown in FIG. 8. The flaps (107) can be folded as per the user’s requirement to prevent a contact between user’s skin and the corresponding conductor pads (102a - 102f). Thus, the present invention allows increasing or decreasing a number of conductor pads (102a - 102f) during use. Even though the above embodiments show the present invention used for treating knee joint and arm, it may also be used for but not limited to elbow and ankle joints. Additionally, the one or more pairs of fastening means (108) is attached to an inner side of the body (101 ), as shown in FIG. 9, to allow a user to vary a length of the body (101 ) (as shown in FIG. 10) according to the user’s requirements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms "comprises," "comprising,"“including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

The use of the expression“at least” or“at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements, as the use may be in one of the embodiments to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A therapeutic wearable article (100) for delivering an electric pulse, comprising: a. at least one flexible body (101 ) wearable by a user; b. at least one pair of electrical conductor pads (102a - 102f) attached to the body (101 ), wherein the conductor pads (102a - 102f) come in contact with the user when the article (100) is in use; c. at least two connector elements (103a, 103b) attached to the body (101 ) for detachably connecting to a pulse generator (10) through cables (20); d. an electric circuit embedded within the body (101 ) for connecting the connector elements (103a, 103b) to the corresponding conductor pads (102a - 102f), characterized in that:

- the electric circuit includes at least two electrically conductive elements (104a, 104b) electrically isolated from each other, wherein each conductive element (104a) connects one of the connector elements (103a, 103b) to at least one of the conductor pads (102a - 102f), wherein when the body (101 ) is worn by the user, the conductor pads (102a - 102f) are aligned with respect to a treatment site such that each conductor pad (102a - 102f) is positioned adjacent to one or more oppositely polarized conductor pads (102a - 102f).

2. The article (100) of claim 1 , wherein the first connector element (103a) is connected to a positive terminal of the pulse generator (10) and the second connector element (103b) is connected to a negative terminal of the pulse generator (10).

3. The article (100) of claim 1 , wherein the body (101 ) includes at least one pair of fastening elements (105a, 105b).

4. The article (100) of claim 1 , wherein the site is a joint.

5. The article (100) of claim 1 1 , wherein the joint is a knee joint.

6. The article (100) of claims 1 1 , wherein when the body (101 ) is worn around the knee joint, at least four conductor pads (102a, 102c, 102d, 102f) are aligned around an anterior portion of the knee joint, while at least two conductor pads (102b, 102e) are aligned against a posterior portion of the knee joint.

7. The article (100) of claim 1 , wherein the pulse generator (10) is a battery- operated pulse generator removably attached to the body (101 ).

8. A therapeutic wearable article (100) for delivering an electric pulse, comprising: a. a flexible body (101 ) formed of at least two straps (101 a, 101 b); b. at least one electrical conductor pad (102a - 102f) attached to each strap (101 a, 101 b), wherein the conductor pads (102a - 102f) come in contact with the user when the article (100) is in use; c. at least one connector element (103a, 103b) attached to each strap (101 a, 101 b) for detachably connecting to a pulse generator (10) through a cable (20); characterized in that: at least one electrically conductive element (104a, 104b) is embedded in each strap (101 a, 101 b) for connecting one connector element (103a) to the corresponding conductor pad (102a - 102c), wherein when the article (100) is worn by the user, the conductor pads (102a - 102f) are aligned with respect to a treatment site such that each of the conductor pads (102a - 102f) is positioned adjacent to one or more oppositely polarized conductor pads (102a - 102f).

9. The article (100) of claim 8, wherein the straps (101 a, 101 b) that are detachably coupled to each other.

10. The article (100) of claim 8, wherein the first strap (101 a) includes a pair of slits (106a), and the second strap (101 b) includes a pair of projections (106b).

1 1. The article (100) of claim 10, wherein the second strap (101 b) is inserted through one of the slits (106a) and withdrawn through the other slit (106a) for detachably coupling the straps (101 a, 101 b) to each other.

12. The article (100) of claim 8, wherein the slits (106a) are spaced apart, such that one of the conductor pads (102a - 102f) is positioned between the slits (106a), when the straps (101 a, 101 b) are coupled to each other.

13. The article (100) of claim 8, wherein the straps (101 a, 101 b) are rotatably coupled to each other.

14. A method for using a therapeutic wearable article (100) of claim 1 or 8, comprising the steps of: i. fastening the article (100) around a body part of a user; ii. connecting a pair of connector elements (103a, 103b) to a pulse generator (10) through cables (20) for receiving the electric pulse, wherein the connector elements (103a, 103b) are attached to a flexible body (101 ) of the article (100); and iii. delivering the electric pulse to the body part through at least one pair of electrical conductor pads (102a - 102f) that are attached to the body (101 ), characterized in that the step of connecting the connector elements (103a, 103b) to the pulse generator (10) includes: - connecting each connector element (103a, 103b) to the corresponding conductor pads (102a - 102c) through an electrically conductive element (104a, 104b), and the step of delivering the electric pulse to the body part includes: - differently polarizing each connector element (103a, 103b), such that when the article (100) is worn by the user, each conductor pad (102a - 102f) is positioned adjacent one or more oppositely polarized conductor pads (102a - 102f).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of connecting the connector elements (103a, 103b) to the pulse generator (10) includes:

• connecting the first connector element (103a) to a positive terminal of the pulse generator (10); and

• connecting the second connector element (103b) to a negative terminal of the pulse generator (10).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the body part is a knee joint.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of fastening the article (100) includes fastening the article (101 ) around the knee joint using at least one pair of fastening elements (105a, 105b) fixed to the body (101 ).

18. The method of claims 17, wherein fastening the article (100) around the knee joint includes:

- aligning at least four conductor pads (102a, 102c, 102d, 102f) around an anterior portion of the knee joint; and

- aligning at least two conductor pads (102b, 102e) against a posterior portion of the knee joint.