GB2129308A

GB2129308A - Medical electrical treatment

Info

Publication number: GB2129308A
Application number: GB08329508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick Charles Bleach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-09
Filing date: 1983-11-04
Publication date: 1984-05-16
Also published as: GB2129308B; GB8329508D0

Abstract

A high voltage electrical generator constituted by an oscillator 10 includes a switching arrangement whereby current from the generator is applied in sequence between one of a number of connections 1, 2, 3, 4, for respective skin electrodes 23, 24, 25, 26 and a connection 5 for an earth electrode 27. The electrodes are included in a fitting 20 which is strapped to the skin of a patient so that current flows in sequence from each electrode to the earth electrode thus stimulating different muscles or groups of muscles in turn. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Medical electrical treatment This invention relates to muscle stimulation by means of electrical treatment in the form of a high voltage electric current. This current is normally applied to the motor points of muscles by strapping electrodes to the skin of a patient and connecting these electrodes to a high voltage generator such as an oscillator or a faradic type generator. The extent to which any one muscle is stimulated depends largely on the skill of the operator and the accuracy with which the electrodes are located. The normal practice is for one electrode to be earthed and for current to be supplied in pulses which are automatically timed.

According to the present invention, at least one earthed electrode and at least several other .electrodes are located on the skin of the patient so as to stimulate different muscles, and current from a high voltage generator is caused to flow between each electrode in turn and the earthed electrode or electrodes. In this way, it is possible to provide much more effective stimulation of a complete group of muscles.

A treatment unit for this purpose, in accordance with the invention, comprises a high voltage electrical generator and a switching arrangement whereby current from the generator is applied in sequence between one of a number of connections for respective skin electrodes and a connection for an earth electrode. The high voltage generator is preferably in the form of an oscillator including a stolid state switching arrangement, -but it'may be a faradic type generator and the automatic switching can be carried Out either by the timed operation of individual relays or by a distributor switch such as å arotary wafer switch driven by a small electric motor.

A Antsmber' orelectrodes, for example four, are conveniently supported by a single strap or fitting so that when this is'applied to the skin of the patient, the electrodes are spaced at suitable intervals to stimulate the different muscles in turn.

It is found that the earth electrode needs to be larger than the others, e.g. twice as large. For this reason, two separate earth electrodes may be used. For example, the fitting may be H-shaped with an earth. electrode in the middle of each vertical limb-and a connection between the two along the cross limb and four further electrodes at the ends of the vertica-l limbs; Such a form of treatment is particularly suitable for stroke patients and other forms of paralysis since it ensures that a number of different muscles can be stimulated in tprn and will thus enable any muscles capable of responding to the stimulus to do so while other muscles which may be incapable of such response-are not unduly stimulated and the patient is thus spared unnecessary pain.

An example of a treatment unit in accordance with the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a block diagram.

The unit comprises four separate high voltage generators each in the form of an oscillator 10. In this way it is possible to treat either four different patients at the same time, or alternatively to treat four or less regions of the same patient. Each oscillator provides an output in the form of brief pulses of high voltage current. Each oscillator also includes a solid state switching unit which automatically switches the output in turn to output terminals 1,2,3 and 4 at a timing which is adjustable. A fifth terminal 5 is earthed. Power is supplied to the four oscillators from a mains supply 11 by way of a power supply unit 12 and a timer 13 which times the length of treatment provided by each oscillator, as required.

The output terminals 1 to 4 are intended for connection to the individual electrodes of a single strap or fitting, by means of which they can be held in contact with the skin of a patient at the required spacing. Such a fitting is shown connected to one of the oscillators 10 by a fivecore cable 19. The fitting itself is indicated generally at 20 and is H-shaped, comprising a pair of vertical limbs 21 and a cross member 22. Four electrodes 23, 24, 25 and 26 are fitted towards the ends of the vertical members 21 and earth electrodes 27 which are connected together across the member 22 are fitted at the middle of the two members 21. The electrodes 23 to 26 need not all be of the same size and the upper electrodes 23 and 24 are illustrated as slightly smaller than the lower 25 and 26.

In use, the fitting 20 is strapped to the skin of the patient, for example, in the required region, the timer 13 is set for the length of treatment required and the switching unit in the oscillator is set for the length of time for which the current is applied to each electrode. Once the power is switched on, current is supplied in sequence to the electrodes 23 to 26 and flows in turn from each electrode to the adjacent earth electrode thus stimulating a different muscle or group of muscles in turn.

Claims

1. A method of medical electrical treatment in which at least one earthed electrode and at least several other electrodes are located on the skin of the patient so as to stimulate different muscles, and current from a high voltage electric generator is caused to flow between each electrode in turn and the earthed electrode or electrodes.

2. A medical electrical treatment unit comprising a high voltage electrical generator and a switching arrangement whereby current from the generator is applied in sequence between one of a number of connections for respective skin electrodes and a connection for an earth electrode.

3. A medical electrical treatment unit according to claim 1 in which the generator is in the form of an oscillator including a solid state switching arrangement.