Portable assemblies, systems, and methods for providing functional or therapeutic neurostimulation

Abstract

Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles and/or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators and/or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin or carried outside the body. Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a carrier and an electronics pod, the electronics pod including stimulation generation circuitry and user interface components. A power source and/or flash memory may be incorporated in neurostimulation assembly and/or the return electrode. The assemblies, systems, and methods are adapted to provide coordinated neurostimulation to multiple regions of the body.

1 . A surface mounted electrode comprising:
 a top layer and a bottom layer, the bottom layer adapted to provide electrical contact and adhesion to a patient,   a power source positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer, and electrically coupled to the bottom layer and a cable assembly, and   a connector electrically coupled to the cable assembly, the cable assembly and connector adapted to provide electrical contact between the power source and a neurostimulation assembly.   
     
     
         2 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein at least one conductor of the cable assembly comprises a carbon-fiber wire.   
     
     
         3 . An electrode according to  claim 2 :
 wherein the carbon-fiber wire is adapted to make intimate contact with the bottom layer.   
     
     
         4 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the top layer comprises an adhesive-backed fabric.   
     
     
         5 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the bottom layer comprises a conductive hydrogel material adapted to be placed on the skin.   
     
     
         6 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the power source is adapted to be sandwiched between layers of non-conductive material.   
     
     
         7 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the layers of non-conductive material and the power source sandwiched there between is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer.   
     
     
         8 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the connector is touch proof and/or water proof.   
     
     
         9 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the power source comprises a flexible power source.   
     
     
         10 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the power source comprises a capacity of about 1 mA-hr to about 1000 mA-hr.   
     
     
         11 . An electrode according to  claim 1 :
 further including non-volatile memory positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer.   
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 providing a surface mounted electrode as defined in  claim 8 ,   placing the electrode on a tissue surface, and   coupling the electrode to a neurostimulation assembly