GB2473028A

GB2473028A - Improved electrode

Info

Publication number: GB2473028A
Application number: GB0914983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew James Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-28
Filing date: 2009-08-28
Publication date: 2011-03-02
Also published as: GB0914983D0

Abstract

An electrode apparatus for stimulating living tissue, said electrode apparatus having an electrode body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a distal end face adapted to be applied to living tissue in use, said electrode apparatus comprising a first electrode 11; a second electrode 13 and an insulating means 12; wherein the first electrode, the insulating means and the second electrode are arranged such that, when the distal end face of the electrode apparatus is applied to living tissue both the first and the second electrode make contact with the tissue. The electrode may be for use stimulating vaginal or clitoral tissue and the apparatus may include a vibrator unit. The electrodes 11,13 may be arranged in a concentric manner.

Description

IMPROVED ELECTRODE

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to electrode apparatus for applying electrical energy to living tissue. The invention is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to apparatus for electrically stimulating vaginal and clitoral tissue.

Background to the Invention

It is well known that the application of electrical stimulation to certain neuromuscular areas in or near the genitalia can be used to cause sexual arousal and can induce orgasm. There are a wide range of devices and apparatus available which can be used to apply the necessary electrical stimulation to the subject areas. Such apparatus inevitably includes electrodes which are spaced apart by means of some type of insulator and which are placed in contact with the living tissue, which is to be stimulated. Typically, existing electrodes are in the form of rings capable of transmitting low levels of electricity to the skin and muscle and which are applied to the penis or scrotum. Alternatively, a probe type of electrode is used to stimulate the skin inside and surrounding the vagina or anus. One feature of known probe type electrodes is that the two electrodes associated with the probe are usually spaced apart longitudinally along the shaft of the probe. Thus, the probe typically has a distal end, being the end, which first penetrates the orifice, and a proximal end, being the end nearest the power supply. A notional longitudinal axis extends the length of the probe, through the centre of the probe, from the distal end to the proximal end. The two electrodes are spaced apart along the shaft of the probe, i.e. spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the probe, and are separated by some insulator means.

So, in order for an electrical connection to be formed between the two electrodes, a probe has to be inserted a good distance into the orifice, such that both electrodes can come in contact with living tissue in order that current might flow.

In an alternative arrangement the two electrodes are annular in shape and are spaced apart around the shaft of the probe, and again spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the device, and separated by some insulator means. Once again, this arrangement requires that the probe is inserted a good distance into the orifice before stimulation begins.

It is thus common to both these types of known probe electrodes that placement of the distal tip of the device onto living tissue provides no significant stimulation. Even if the first electrode extends up to and over the distal tip of the device, there is no mechanism for current to flow into and through the tissue because the second electrode is not in contact with that tissue. This means that effective clitoral stimulation or focused bi-polar vaginal "G-spot" or prostate stimulation via the anal passage is not possible using such devices.

Accordingly, it is an object to the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate some or all of the problems outlined above and to provide improvements in electrical stimulation apparatus for both women and men.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrode apparatus for stimulating living tissue, said electrode apparatus having an electrode body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a distal end face adapted to be applied to living tissue in use, said electrode apparatus comprising:- (i) a first electrode; (ii) a second electrode; (iii) an insulating means; wherein the first electrode, the insulating means and the second electrode are arranged such that, when the distal end face of the electrode apparatus is applied to living tissue both the first and the second electrode make contact with the tissue.

By arranging the electrodes such that both the electrodes come into contact with the tissue when the apparatus is applied to the tissue, electrical stimulation is achieved without the apparatus necessarily penetrating an orifice to any significant extent.

Preferably the second electrode surrounds at least a portion of the first electrode and in a particularly preferred arrangement the second electrode is arranged substantially concentrically around the first electrode. A concentric arrangement provides for even stimulation over the chosen area.

Preferably the insulating means and the second electrode are arranged substantially concentrically around the first electrode about a longitudinal axis of the electrode body, with the insulating means located between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode being located substantially within the second electrode.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a first electrode terminal on the first electrode and a second electrode terminal on the second electrode.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a housing for a vibrator unit. This allows the unit to be used with additional vibration stimulation or as a vibrator.

Preferably the vibrator housing comprises a recess in the electrode body.

Preferably the vibrator housing comprises a substantially cylindrical blind-ended recess.

It will be understood that such electrode apparatus requires an electrical supply in order to operate in the desired fashion. The electric supply typically takes the form of a battery-containing device with a control module, although a mains operated unit with a transformer may also be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of stimulating living tissue, said method including the steps of:- (i) providing an electrode apparatus according to the present invention; (ii) providing an electrical supply; (iii) connecting said electrical supply to said electrical apparatus; (iv) applying the electrode apparatus to the living tissue to the stimulated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figures 1 and 2 show top and bottom elevational views of an electrode assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 show front and side elevational views of the electrode shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the profile of an insulating layer shown in dotted lines; Figures 5 and 6 show side and plan elevational views of a second embodiment of the present invention, without a handle means to grip it; Figures 7 to 10 inclusive show various views of a handle means, adapted to connect to the electrode assembly shown in figures 5 and 6; Figures 11, 12 and 13 show end, side and opposite end views of a further embodiment, with the profile of an insulating layer shown in dotted lines.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only.

These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant, although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

Referring to Figure 1, this shows a plan or elevational view of the distal end or tip of an electrode apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan or end view of the proximal end of this electrode apparatus.

Figures 3 and 4 show two side views of the same electrode apparatus. Figure 1 shows a first electrode 11 substantially surrounded by an insulating means or layer 12 that is in turn substantially surrounded by a second electrode 13. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 this electrode within an electrode arrangement exists for the entire length of the electrode assembly.

Accordingly, it is clear from Figures 3 and 4, the electrode assembly has a substantially conical distal end, being the end adapted to be brought into contact with the tissue to be stimulated. Both the first and second electrodes are visible when viewed from the distal end of the device and both first and second electrodes come in contact with the living tissue without the need to insert the electrode assembly or apparatus into an orifice.

Whilst in this example the distal tip of the electrode assembly is shown as substantially conical, other profiles are perfectly possible. Rounded, bull-nosed or substantially flat/planar profiles are all suitable possibilities for the shape of the end of the distal tip of the electrode assembly. The end of the distal tip of the device could also be of a non-symmetrical nature such as wedge or chisel shaped with a flat or curved stimulating surface.

In order to connect the electrode apparatus to an electrical power supply, electrode terminals are provided and these are housed within recesses 14 and 15 accessible from the proximal end of the device. The proximal end of the device acts as a form of handle 16 in order that the user might grip the device and place it in the appropriate position. Semi-spherical grooves 17, 18 run around the periphery of the device, which can be used to accommodate the fitting of insulating rubber or silicone 0-rings in order to improve grip and insulate the user from the outer electrode 13.

The provisions of some form of handle means, and preferably and electrically insulating handle means is a preferred feature of the present invention. Because of a preferred form of construction in which the second electrode extends over substantially the whole outer surface of the electrode assembly, it is preferable that an insulating handle or grip is provided in the region generally held by the operator.

This handle means can take a wide variety of forms, of which spaced 0-rings are only one.

The arrangement described above has a number of advantages. Firstly, the first electrode/insulating means/second electrode combination can be assembled as a long length and each individual electrode assembly can be machined from that length.

A further advantage is that the first and second electrodes are always available on the distal end of the assembly in order to contact the tissue to be stimulated.

Typically the first and second electrodes are formed from a conductive material such as a metal and aluminium is a preferred metal of choice. The insulating means can be formed from a wide variety of insulators but acrylic tube is a preferred insulating material. It will be appreciated that the first electrode takes the form of a substantially solid rod that is an interference fit with the internal diameter of an acrylic tube. The acrylic tube assembly, including the first electrode, is an interference fit with the internal diameter of the outer tube electrode. An adhesive layer may or may not be incorporated to secure the acrylic layer to the first and/or second electrodes.

An alternative method of construction, but one which results in a similar end product, is shown in Figures 5 to 10 inclusive. Figure 5 shows a side elevational view of the distal end of a similar device, turned from a similar elongate electrode composite comprising a first electrode 21 surrounded by an insulating means 22, which in turn is surrounded, by a second electrode 23. Provision is made for electrical terminals 24 and 25 within the body of the device. Figure 6 shows the underside of this component, which is adapted to accommodate a handle shown in more detail in Figures 7 to 10. The handle in this example is a substantially hemispherical component 26, adapted to be secured to the distal component either by over-moulding, by means of a snap fit connector or by some other means. In this embodiment the handle component 26 includes provision 30 for a small stand-alone vibrator unit. Such vibrator units are known per se. In this example the provision for the vibrator unit comprises a circular cylindrical blind-ended recess 30 set into the body of the handle. The vibrator unit is a tight fit within this receptacle and causes the entire apparatus to vibrate once it is switched on. Suitable vibrator units are available commercially.

Conventional provisions are made in order to connect the electrodes 24/25 in the distal tip to terminal connections 34, 35 in the handle and passageways 37, 38 are provided in order that an electrical connection can be made to an external electrical supply unit/controller.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 11 to 13 inclusive. In this case the electrode apparatus is relatively elongate, although the first and second electrodes are still both present on the distal tip of the device as shown in Figure 13. A similar numbering system to that used in Figures 1 to 4 has been used in Figures 11 to 13.

As described above, an elongate length of material is formed containing a first electrode 41, a second outer electrode 43, with an insulating layer 42 between the two electrodes. Provision for electrical terminals 44, 45 is made in the proximal end of the device. Insulated handgrips 47A to 47G are located in recesses towards the proximal end of the device.

It will be understood that whilst shown in figure 12 as a substantially straight electrode assembly, the shaft of the electrode assembly could be curved, for effective prostate stimulation via the anal passage. The shape of the electrode assembly can be determined by the designer, depending on what tissue is intended to be stimulated.

Claims

Claims: 1. An electrode apparatus for stimulating living tissue, said electrode apparatus having an electrode body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a distal end face adapted to be applied to living tissue in use, said electrode apparatus comprising:- (i) a first electrode; (ii) a second electrode; (iii) an insulating means; wherein the first electrode, the insulating means and the second electrode are arranged such that, when the distal end face of the electrode apparatus is applied to living tissue both the first and the second electrode make contact with the tissue.
2. An electrode apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second electrode surrounds at least a portion of the first electrode.
3. An electrode apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the second electrode is arranged substantially concentrically around the first electrode.
4. An electrode apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the insulating means and the second electrode are arranged substantially concentrically around the first electrode about a longitudinal axis of the electrode body, with the insulating means located between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode being located substantially within the second electrode.
5. An electrode apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus further comprises a first electrode terminal on the first electrode and a second electrode terminal on the second electrode.
6. An electrode apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing for a vibrator unit.
7. An electrode apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the vibrator housing comprises a recess in the electrode body.
8. An electrode apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the vibrator housing comprises a substantially cylindrical blind-ended recess.
9. An electrode apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.