US3612060A - Peripheral nerve stimulator - Google Patents

Peripheral nerve stimulator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3612060A
US3612060A US789265A US3612060DA US3612060A US 3612060 A US3612060 A US 3612060A US 789265 A US789265 A US 789265A US 3612060D A US3612060D A US 3612060DA US 3612060 A US3612060 A US 3612060A
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United States
Prior art keywords
circuit
transistor
nerve stimulator
peripheral nerve
pulse
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US789265A
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English (en)
Inventor
John E Colyer
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Wellcome Foundation Ltd
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Wellcome Foundation Ltd
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
    • A61B5/053—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
    • A61B5/0531—Measuring skin impedance
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36014—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes
    • A61N1/3603—Control systems
    • A61N1/36034—Control systems specified by the stimulation parameters

Definitions

  • An electronic peripheral nerve stimulator is dis- [33] Austraha closed, the nerve stimulator comprising a power supply, a [31] 32o43/68 transistorized oscillator circuit coupled to the power supply and including at least one transistor and a resistance- [54] PERIPHERAL NERVE STIMULATOR capacitance network defining the oscillation frequency of the 6Claims, 1 Drawing Fig oscillator.
  • the trans1stor is coupled in circuit with the resistance-capacitance network and means are provided to vary U-S. the efie tive im edan e of the resistance capacitance net.
  • This invention relates to an improved, preferably portable,
  • the stimulator in accordance withthe present invention is adapted, interalia, to monitor the effects of a muscle relaxant drug on theneuromuscular junction of a muscle or muscle group in a patient, or to enable the effect of such a drug .to be detected and reversed or counteracted, or to determine whether the cause of muscular relaxation is due to the presence of muscle relaxants or to an effect on or by the central nervous system.
  • neuromuscular blockade present in a patient; i.e., for example, whether the blockadeis produced by a depolorizing or nondepolorizing relaxant drug.
  • these specific aspects of the action of the relaxants can be determined by nerve stimulation.
  • a neuromuscular blocking agent muscle relaxant drug
  • ongoing monitoring of a neuromuscular junction enables incremental doses of relaxant to be administered in time to prevent unwanted movement of the muscles occuring.
  • the present invention has for its objects 'toprovide an-electrical nerve stimulator for the purposes above mentioned and which is capable of providing either or intermittent output pulses over a wide (variable) frequency range, which has a low power source drain (this being an important consideration for surgery use where it is imperative that it should not fail during prolonged operating periods), which preferably has a variable voltage output, and which is safe for use in operating theatres where highly inflammable gases may be encountered.
  • a peripheral nerve stimulator in accordance with the present invention comprises a power supply, a transistorized oscillator circuit including at least one transistor in circuit with a resistance-capacitance network, the effective impedance value of which is variable to achieve a desired output pulse repetition rate, and a transformer having a first primary winding in circuit with the collector of said transistor, a second primary winding in circuit with the base of said transistor and through which a "reflected" current is passed by way of a positive feedback loop to said transistor base, and a tertiary winding from which an output pulse may be obtained.
  • a gas dischargelamp is connected in series with said tertiary winding, and means are preferably connected in circuit with said gas-discharge lamp and said tertiary winding for adjusting the voltage of said output pulses to a desired level.
  • the peripheral nerve stimulator generally comprises a power supply, an oscillator circuit employing a single transistor VTl in conjunction with a pulse transformer (or ringing choke) T1 and the pulse repetition rate of which is controlled by a R-C network, and an output circuit connected to the secondary winding of said transformer.
  • Capacitor Cl initially has zero voltage across it but charges to a negative potential through the timing resistor network R -R (or through a single timing resistor as the case may be) until such time as the voltage across Cl exceeds the base-emitter forward conduction voltage of the transistor WI.
  • the transistor base then conducts and collector current is drawn through a first primary winding W1 of the transformer T1.
  • the current through winding W1 is reflected into a second primary winding W2 and, through positive feedback, turns the transistor "on” hard. This gives a short rise time to the base, and therefore collector, current pulse.
  • Base current is desirably limited to a safe value by introduction of a series limiting resistor R6.
  • the cycle then repeats as capacitor C1 charges through resistor network R -R,, a train of single pulses being generated by the circuit for as long as the power supply is switched-on, in this case by switch S1 ganged to a potentiometer RVl hereinafter referred to.
  • the pulse repetition rate is dependent upon the time constant of the R.C. network, this, as shown in the drawing,being made variable by the resistor switching arrangementcomprising switch S2 and pushbuttons S3 and S4, but, in a much simplified embodiment, being fixed by a single timing resistor.
  • the valve of capacity of Cl must be selected such that transistor W1 is initially fully tumed on," the resistor(s) being the main timing element(s).
  • the collector current pulse in winding W1 is also reflected into the secondary winding W3 and across which a high voltage pulse is developed, the value of which is determined by the primary to secondary winding ratio.
  • This high-voltage pulse feeds into a series connection of a gas-discharge (neon) lamp LP! and potentiometer RVl.
  • gas-discharge lamp LPl serves both as a visual indicator of the presence of an output pulse and to limit the voltage present across the potentiometer RVl.
  • Output connections SKl and 5K2 are taken from the moving arm and one side of the potentiometer RVl respectively, the voltage across the load being regulatory by adjustment of the potentiometer arm.
  • a resistor R5 is connected in parallel with capacitor C1
  • a resistor R5 is connected in parallel with capacitor C1
  • a resistor R7 is connected in parallel with the gas-discharge lamp LPI
  • a resistor R8 is connected in parallel with the potentiometer
  • a resistor R9 is connected in series with the moving arm of the potentiometer.
  • resistor R5 has the effect of stabilizing the firingpoint of transistor VT] and helps to compensate for variations in the capacitance of capacitor C1.
  • Resistor R7 stabilizes the firing point of the lamp LPl and prevents the occurrence of large peak voltages across winding W3 during the instant before gas ionization in the lamp LPI.
  • the resistor R8 is employed purely to act as an output voltage adjustment, the value being chosen such that the no-load output voltage is of a desired value and thus compensates for variations in component parameters.
  • the value of resistor R9 is chosen so as to provide optimum compensation for variations in load resistance, so as to achieve an approximately linear law for output voltage against potentiometer rotation for all values of load resistance within a-working range.
  • the two position switch S2 permits the selection of continuous automatically cycling twitch stimulus" frequencies of one pulse per 5 or second intervals.
  • Operation of pushbutton S3 effects the automatic selection of a continuous twitch-stimulus frequency of one pulse per second but this will revert to the 5 to 10 second pulse rate immediately the pushbutton is released.
  • a maximum tetanic stimulus" rate of 50 pulses per second will be obtained for as long as the pushbutton S4 is depressed.
  • a container for the components aforedescribed may be formed of any suitable plastic material, the cover therefor being apertured to permit the mounting of external projection of the lamp LPl, switch S2, pushbuttons S3 and S4 and a control knob for the ganged potentiometer/switch S1.
  • the cover may additionally be marked with suitable indicia and the con tainer apertured to take a connectable probe or electrode lead plug.
  • Electrodes for use in conjunction with the device in accordance with the present invention may take the form of plate electrodes, needle electrodes or, for convenience, probes.
  • An electronic peripheral nerve stimulator comprising, a power supply, a transistorized oscillator circuit coupled to said power supply and including at least one transistor and resistance-capacitance network defining the oscillation frequency of said oscillator, said resistance-capactiance network and the emitter-collector path of said transistor each being coupled in parallel circuit across said power supply, means to vary the effective impedance of said resistance-capacitance network to provide a selective output pulse repetition rate from said oscillator circuit within the range of one pulse per l0 seconds to 50 pulses per second, and a transformer, said transformer having a first primary winding, means coupling said first primary winding in circuit between the collector of the transistor and said power supply, a second primary winding, means coupling said second primary winding in circuit between the base of the transistor 3 a point on said resistancecapacitance network, said last-mentioned means defining a positive feedback loop through which a reflected" current is passed to said transistor base, and secondary winding from which an output pulse is obtained.
  • said resistance-capacitance network comprises a single capacitor and four series connected resistors and defines the pulse repetition rate said means to vary the effective impedance including means connecting three of said resistors to be selectively switched out of circuit, whereby a variable pulse repetition rate is provided.
  • An electronic peripheral nerve stimulator as claimed in claim 2 together with a potential divider means connnected in circuit with said tertiary winding for adjusting the voltage level of said output pulses.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Dermatology (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
US789265A 1968-01-05 1969-01-06 Peripheral nerve stimulator Expired - Lifetime US3612060A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU32043/68A AU408766B2 (en) 1968-01-05 1968-01-05 Peripheral nerve stimulator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3612060A true US3612060A (en) 1971-10-12

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ID=3719656

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US789265A Expired - Lifetime US3612060A (en) 1968-01-05 1969-01-06 Peripheral nerve stimulator

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3612060A (fr)
AU (1) AU408766B2 (fr)
BE (1) BE726417A (fr)
BR (1) BR6905327D0 (fr)
CH (1) CH487651A (fr)
DE (1) DE1900062A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR1604457A (fr)
GB (1) GB1258812A (fr)
IL (1) IL31356A (fr)
NL (1) NL6818359A (fr)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3958168A (en) * 1973-01-10 1976-05-18 Kenneth Grundberg Electronic control circuit
US4088141A (en) * 1976-04-27 1978-05-09 Stimulation Technology, Inc. Fault circuit for stimulator
US4121594A (en) * 1977-09-26 1978-10-24 Med General, Inc. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
US4237896A (en) * 1979-08-01 1980-12-09 Senil Nominees Pty. Ltd Immobilizing animals
US4240437A (en) * 1978-07-31 1980-12-23 Church Charles J Electric massage apparatus and method
US4324253A (en) * 1977-01-28 1982-04-13 Greene Ronald W Transcutaneous pain control and/or muscle stimulating apparatus
USRE31866E (en) * 1979-08-01 1985-04-16 Senil Nominees Pty. Ltd. Immobilizing animals
EP1071493A1 (fr) * 1998-04-17 2001-01-31 Stryker Instruments Stimulation neuromusculaire electrique servant a eviter la thrombose des veines profondes
US6564079B1 (en) 2000-07-27 2003-05-13 Ckm Diagnostics, Inc. Electrode array and skin attachment system for noninvasive nerve location and imaging device
EP1859738A1 (fr) * 2006-05-27 2007-11-28 Arneborg Ernst Système portable de diagnostic de fonction d'équilibre
WO2007115565A3 (fr) * 2006-04-10 2008-10-16 Arneborg Ernst Appareil mobile pour troubles de l'équilibre
DE202007019380U1 (de) 2006-04-10 2012-02-17 Arneborg Ernst Mobile Gleichgewichtsprothese

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52141093A (en) * 1976-05-19 1977-11-25 Nippon Koinko Kk Low frequency curing device
IL75048A0 (en) * 1984-05-04 1985-08-30 Dervieux Dominique Bipolar electrodes and apparatus comprising them for the relief of pains

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3050695A (en) * 1959-09-10 1962-08-21 W W Henry Co Inc Pulse generator for human treatment
US3295528A (en) * 1962-09-11 1967-01-03 Sutetaro Yamashiki Electrical therapeutic equipment
US3311111A (en) * 1964-08-11 1967-03-28 Gen Electric Controllable electric body tissue stimulators

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3050695A (en) * 1959-09-10 1962-08-21 W W Henry Co Inc Pulse generator for human treatment
US3295528A (en) * 1962-09-11 1967-01-03 Sutetaro Yamashiki Electrical therapeutic equipment
US3311111A (en) * 1964-08-11 1967-03-28 Gen Electric Controllable electric body tissue stimulators

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3958168A (en) * 1973-01-10 1976-05-18 Kenneth Grundberg Electronic control circuit
US4088141A (en) * 1976-04-27 1978-05-09 Stimulation Technology, Inc. Fault circuit for stimulator
US4324253A (en) * 1977-01-28 1982-04-13 Greene Ronald W Transcutaneous pain control and/or muscle stimulating apparatus
US4121594A (en) * 1977-09-26 1978-10-24 Med General, Inc. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
US4240437A (en) * 1978-07-31 1980-12-23 Church Charles J Electric massage apparatus and method
US4237896A (en) * 1979-08-01 1980-12-09 Senil Nominees Pty. Ltd Immobilizing animals
USRE31866E (en) * 1979-08-01 1985-04-16 Senil Nominees Pty. Ltd. Immobilizing animals
EP1071493A4 (fr) * 1998-04-17 2006-09-27 Stryker Instr Stimulation neuromusculaire electrique servant a eviter la thrombose des veines profondes
EP1071493A1 (fr) * 1998-04-17 2001-01-31 Stryker Instruments Stimulation neuromusculaire electrique servant a eviter la thrombose des veines profondes
US6564079B1 (en) 2000-07-27 2003-05-13 Ckm Diagnostics, Inc. Electrode array and skin attachment system for noninvasive nerve location and imaging device
US6609018B2 (en) 2000-07-27 2003-08-19 Ckm Diagnostics, Inc. Electrode array and sensor attachment system for noninvasive nerve location and imaging device
WO2007115565A3 (fr) * 2006-04-10 2008-10-16 Arneborg Ernst Appareil mobile pour troubles de l'équilibre
US20090192416A1 (en) * 2006-04-10 2009-07-30 Arneborg Ernst Mobile balancing prosthesis
DE202007019380U1 (de) 2006-04-10 2012-02-17 Arneborg Ernst Mobile Gleichgewichtsprothese
US8920344B2 (en) 2006-04-10 2014-12-30 Arneborg Ernst Mobile balancing prosthesis
EP1859738A1 (fr) * 2006-05-27 2007-11-28 Arneborg Ernst Système portable de diagnostic de fonction d'équilibre

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3204368A (en) 1970-04-16
AU408766B2 (en) 1970-12-04
BR6905327D0 (pt) 1973-03-07
IL31356A0 (en) 1969-02-27
NL6818359A (fr) 1969-07-08
BE726417A (fr) 1969-06-16
DE1900062A1 (de) 1969-07-31
FR1604457A (fr) 1971-11-08
CH487651A (fr) 1970-03-31
GB1258812A (fr) 1971-12-30
IL31356A (en) 1972-01-27

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