US4398545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pain-blocking bandage
Assignee: CYCOTECHNICAL MEDICAL INDUSTRIES Inc
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Filing: 1981-06-16
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2001-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A bandage to be applied adjacent to an injured portion of a patient's body contains electronic circuitry which delivers electric pulses into the body to block or mask the pain arising from the injury. The bandage includes an inner unit adapted to be applied directly onto the patient's skin and an outer unit adapted to be removably applied upon the inner unit. The inner unit includes spaced apart conductive portions which contact the patient's skin. The outer unit includes a power source and an electronic circuit which applies a voltage output to the conductive portions of the inner unit. The voltage output is transmitted through the conductive portions to the patient's skin to cause low current electrical pulses within the patient's body to block or mask the pain arising from the injury.
Inventors
- 👤 J. A. Sam Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/0404; A61N1/0408; A61N1/0456; A61N1/0468; A61N1/0472; A61N1/0492; A61N1/20; A61N1/22; A61N1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A flexible self-contained bandage adapted to be applied adjacent to an injured portion of a patient's body, said bandage comprising: a first unit adapted to be applied to the patient's body; a second unit removably applied upon said first unit; said second unit including means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit; said first unit having separated conductive portions; said voltage output being transmitted through said conductive portions to the patient's body to cause low current electrical pulses within the patient's body to block or mask the pain arising from the injury.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A flexible self-contained bandage adapted to be applied adjacent to an injured portion of a patient's body, said bandage comprising: a first unit adapted to be applied to the patient's body; a second unit removably applied upon said first unit; said second unit including means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit; said first unit having separated conductive portions; said voltage output being transmitted through said conductive portions to the patient's body to cause low current electrical pulses within the patient's body to block or mask the pain arising from the injury.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bandage as defined in claim 1 wherein said first unit includes a container with separated openings formed therein and an electrolyte disposed in said openings to form said conductive portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bandage as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit includes first and second electrodes which contact against the electrolyte in said openings when said second unit is applied upon said first unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A bandage as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit includes a power cell and a circuit, said power cell being electrically connected with said circuit and said circuit being electrically connected with said first and second electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A bandage as defined in claim 4 wherein said power cell is removable and rechargeable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bandage as defined in claim 4 further including adjustment means connected with said circuit to permit digital adjustment of the magnitude of the voltage output to said first unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A bandage as defined in claim 6 further including digitally operable switch means which in one position interrupts the electrical connection between said power cell and said circuit to thereby deactivate the bandage and which in another position establishes the electrical connection between said power cell and said circuit to thereby activate the bandage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bandage as defined in claim 7 further including signal means connected with said circuit to provide a signal when said bandage is activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A bandage as defined in claim 8 wherein said signal means provides an audible signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A bandage as defined in claim 8 wherein said signal means provides a visual signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A bandage as defined in claim 4 wherein said second unit includes a member having an underside and an upper side; and a cover overlying said upper side; said first and second electrodes being attached to the underside of said member; said power cell and said circuit being positioned between said upper side of said member and said cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bandage as defined in claim 11 wherein said first and second electrodes are formed of dissimilar metals whereby an electrolytic reaction occurs as said voltage passes through said electrolyte; said reaction providing an added voltage component which is transmitted to the patient's body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bandage as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit comprises circuit means which generates a pulsing voltage superimposed upon a constant voltage with the resultant voltage being applied to said first unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bandage as defined in claim 13 wherein said first unit includes a container with separated openings formed therein and an electrolyte disposed in said openings to form said conductive portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bandage as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit includes first and second electrodes which contact against the electrolyte in said openings when said second unit is applied upon said first unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A bandage as defined in claim 15 wherein said means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit includes a power cell electrically connected with said circuit means, and wherein said circuit means is electrically connected with said first and second electrodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A bandage as defined in claim 16 wherein said power cell is removable and rechargeable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bandage as defined in claim 16 further including adjustment means connected with said circuit means to permit digital adjustment of the magnitude of the voltage output to said first unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A bandage as defined in claim 18 further including digitally operable switch means which in one position interrupts the electrical connection between said power cell and said circuit means to thereby deactivate the bandage and which in another position establishes the electrical connection between said power cell and said circuit means to thereby activate the bandage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bandage as defined in claim 19 further including signal means connected with said circuit means to provide a signal when said bandage is activated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A bandage as defined in claim 20 wherein said signal means provides an audible signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A bandage as defined in claim 20 wherein said signal means provides a visual signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A bandage as defined in claim 16 wherein said second unit includes a member having an underside and an upper side; and a cover overlying said upper side; said first and second electrodes being attached to the underside of said member; said power cell and said circuit means being positioned between said upper side of said member and said cover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bandage as defined in claim 23 wherein said first and second electrodes are formed of dissimilar metals whereby an electrolytic reaction occurs as said voltage passes through said electrolyte; said reaction providing said constant voltage.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A bandage as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for generating and applying a voltage output to said first unit includes a first voltage producing circuit means which generates a constant voltage and a second voltage producing circuit means which generates a pulsing voltage which is superimposed upon said constant voltage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bandage as defined in claim 25 wherein said first and second voltage producing circuit means are electrically coupled.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A bandage as defined in claim 26 wherein said circuit means are inductively coupled.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bandage as defined in claim 27 wherein said inductive coupling is provided by a primary coil attached to one of said circuit means and a secondary coil attached to the other of said circuit means, said coils being arranged in confronting arrangement with one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A bandage as defined in claim 26 wherein said circuit means are directly coupled.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
A bandage as defined in claim 26 wherein said circuit means are capacitively coupled.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A bandage as defined in claim 26 wherein said circuit means are opto-electronically coupled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |