Apparatus for stimulating a muscle of a subject

Abstract

A method and apparatus for stimulating a muscle of a subject are provided. The apparatus comprises a signal generator for generating an electrical pulse signal of a frequency and a current amplitude for inducing contractions in the muscle, and an electrode apparatus for applying the signal to nerves associated with the muscle to be stimulated or adjacent the muscle of the subject for stimulating the muscle. The frequency and current amplitude of the electrical pulse signal are selected so as to maximize the bulk of the muscle being subjected to the contractions so as to generate a shivering phenomenon therein.

1 - 132 . (canceled)  
   
   
       133 . An apparatus for stimulating a plurality of muscles of a subject, comprising: 
 a signal generator for generating an electrical pulse signal in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters for stimulating the muscles by inducing vibrations therein at a frequency within the range 3 Hz to 12 Hz;    an electrode apparatus for applying the signal to nerves associated with the muscles of the subject to be stimulated for stimulating the muscles;    wherein the predetermined parameters of the electrical pulse signal are selected to produce a pulse train having a frequency lying in the range 3 Hz to 12 Hz to cause a predetermined cardiac output of at least 50% of the maximum cardiac output of the subject;    a monitor for monitoring the cardiovascular response of the subject; and    a feedback mechanism for controlling said signal generator based upon the cardiovascular response.    
   
   
       134 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the pulse train comprise a plurality of single pulses, the frequency of the single pulses lying in the range 3 Hz to 12 Hz.  
   
   
       135 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the pulse train comprises a plurality of groups of pulses, each group comprising at least two pulses, and the frequency of the respective groups of pulses lying in the range 3 Hz to 12 Hz.  
   
   
       136 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the pulse train comprises a plurality of groups of pulses, each group comprising at least two pulses which undulate in current amplitude, and the frequency of the respective groups of pulses lying in the range 3 Hz to 12 Hz.  
   
   
       137 . The apparatus of  claim 135 , wherein the frequency of the individual pulses within each group of pulses is greater than 20 Hz.  
   
   
       138 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the predetermined parameters of the electrical pulse signal are selected to produce a pulse train having a frequency lying in the range 4 Hz to 8 Hz.  
   
   
       139 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the parameters are selected so that said predetermined cardiac output burns calories in the muscles of the subject without doing work on a load external to the subject.  
   
   
       140 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the predetermined parameters of the electrical pulse signal are selected to cause a predetermined cardiac output of that is 60%-70% of the maximum cardiac output.  
   
   
       141 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the predetermined parameters of the electrical pulse signal generated by the signal generator are selected to minimize discomfort to the subject.  
   
   
       142 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein a charge-per-pulse of one or more pulses of the electrical pulse signal, and the electrode apparatus for applying the pulse signal to the subject co-operate with each other to maintain the charge-per-pulse per unit area of the applied electrical pulse signal at or below 16 nC/mm 2  in the subject.  
   
   
       143 . The apparatus of  claim 142 , wherein the current density is maintained at or below 0.14 mA/mm 2 .  
   
   
       144 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein a maximum charge-per-pulse of the electrical pulse signal is 60-120 micro coulombs.  
   
   
       145 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the electrode apparatus for applying the pulse signal to the subject comprises an electrode.  
   
   
       146 . The apparatus of  claim 133 , wherein the electrode apparatus for applying the pulse signal to the subject comprises a plurality of electrodes.  
   
   
       147 . The apparatus of  claim 146 , wherein the effective electrically conductive contact area of at least one electrode is not less than 7,500 mm 2 .  
   
   
       148 . The apparatus of  claim 147 , wherein the effective electrically conductive contact area of at least one electrode is not less than 10,000 mm 2 .  
   
   
       149 . The apparatus of  claim 148 , wherein the effective electrically conductive contact area of at least one electrode is not less than 15,000 mm 2 .  
   
   
       150 . The apparatus of  claim 146 , wherein at least one of the electrodes has an effective electrical contact area such that the length of the effective electrical contact area is substantially similar to the width of the muscle to be stimulated.  
   
   
       151 . The apparatus of  claim 150 , wherein when it is desired to stimulate a quadricep or hamstring muscle group in a male of average size, the length of the effective electrical contact area of the relevant electrode is at least 140 mm.  
   
   
       152 . The apparatus of  claim 146 , wherein at least one of the electrodes has an effective electrical contact area such that a maximum charge may be applied to the muscle of the subject while minimizing discomfort to the subject.