Flexible sheet for neuromuscular stimulation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10695564-B2
Application number	US-201715612894-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 2, 2017
Priority date	Jun 2, 2016
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

A flexible sheet for neurostimulation is described having a flexible non-conductive substrate matrix in which electrodes are embedded along a lower surface. Electrically conductive wires extend from the electrodes through the flexible substrate to another exterior surface of the substrate. Methods of making the flexible sheet and making a device using the flexible sheet are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A flexible sheet, comprising:
a non-conductive, flexible substrate; a plurality of electrodes embedded within the flexible substrate; and electrically-conductive wires running through the flexible substrate from a common exterior surface of the flexible substrate to each electrode; and further comprising insulating ceramic dispersed throughout the flexible substrate.

2. A system for muscular neurostimulation, comprising:
an inner sleeve formed from a flexible sheet of claim 1 ; and
a compression sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve;
the flexible sheet, comprising: a non-conductive, flexible substrate;
a plurality of electrodes embedded within the flexible substrate; and
electrically-conductive wires running through the flexible substrate from a common exterior surface of the flexible substrate to each electrode; and further comprising a sensor embedded within the substrate.

3. The system for muscular neurostimulation of claim 2 , wherein the flexible substrate comprises a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a plurality of side surfaces; wherein the plurality of electrodes is located on the bottom surface; and wherein the wires extend to one of the side surfaces.

4. The system for muscular neurostimulation of claim 2 wherein the sensor is an accelerometer or inclinometer.

5. The system for muscular neurostimulation of claim 2 wherein the flexible substrate comprises a silicone or polyurethane in which the electrodes are embedded.

6. The system for muscular neurostimulation of claim 2 comprising a printed circuit board that is embedded within an elastomer and connected to the electrodes to form electrical pathways through the sheet.

7. A flexible sheet, comprising:
a fabric substrate;
a plurality of conductive components on a bottom surface of the fabric substrate; and
a plurality of non-conductive components on the bottom surface of the fabric substrate.

8. The flexible sheet of claim 7 , further comprising wires woven into the fabric substrate.

9. The flexible sheet of claim 7 , further comprising a mechanical fastener embedded in the substrate, for holding the flexible sheet in the form of a sleeve.

10. A flexible sheet, comprising:
a non-conductive, flexible substrate; a plurality of electrodes embedded within the flexible substrate; and electrically-conductive wires running through the flexible substrate from a common exterior surface of the flexible substrate to each electrode; and wherein the flexible substrate comprises an elastomeric sheet comprising apertures that permits air and moisture to pass through the flexible sheet.

11. The flexible sheet of claim 10 wherein the flexible substrate comprises a mesh fabric that is coated with an elastomer.

Assignees

• Battelle Memorial Institute

Inventors

• Bartholomew John
• Friend Jeffrey

Classifications

• A61N1/0492

  Patch electrodes (A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61N1/0456

  Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] · CPC title

• A61N1/36031

  using physiological parameters for adjustment · CPC title

• A61N1/0452

  Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS] · CPC title

• A61N1/0484

  Garment electrodes worn by the patient · CPC title