Transcutaneous stimulation method and system

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a method of treating a waste evacuation dysfunction, comprising administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) to at least one lower pelvic and/or sacral region for at least one treatment period per day over a treatment term of at least one week.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of treating a waste evacuation dysfunction, comprising administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) with at least eight electrodes, wherein the at least eight electrodes comprise a first pair of electrodes positioned in a lumbar area of a user and a second pair of electrodes positioned in a lower front abdominal area of the user, wherein the at least eight electrodes provide interferential electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the TES is administered at least once per day over a treatment term. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least eight electrodes further comprise a third pair of electrodes positioned in a sacral region of the user and a fourth pair of electrodes positioned in a pelvic region of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the TES is administered at least four times per week. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein administering TES comprises administering TES with a portable stimulation device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising determining, with the portable stimulation device, an electrical stimulation energy required for the user based on physiological parameters of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing audible signals to the user from the portable stimulation device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving selection from the user of a personal TES setting among multiple personalized TES settings of the portable stimulation device associated with different users. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising sensing temperature with the portable stimulation device via one or more of the at least eight electrodes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising connecting the portable stimulation device to a separate computer system, the separate computer system facilitating firmware updates for the portable stimulation device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the portable stimulation device comprises a battery and a power supply circuitry that provides charging circuit isolation configured to prevent electrical stimulation during a battery charge operation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the portable stimulation device comprises load-testing circuitry configured to prevent the delivery of electrical stimulation when an improper electrical connection is detected. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the portable stimulation device comprises multiple modes of access for different classes of users, each mode of access having different authorization. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the multiple modes of access comprise a technician mode, the technician mode allowing an authorized technician to fully modify a function of the portable stimulation device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the multiple modes of access comprise a clinician mode, the clinician mode allowing an authorized clinician to alter a function of the portable stimulation device by selecting from multiple stimulation settings. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the multiple modes of access comprise a patient mode, the patient mode allowing a patient to operate the portable stimulation device within parameters determined by a clinician. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a waste evacuation dysfunction, comprising administering transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) to a user with at least four electrodes to create interferential electrical stimulation within the user, wherein the at least four electrodes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned in a lower front region of the user and a third electrode and a fourth electrode positioned in a lower back region of the user, and wherein the TES is administered at least four times over a treatment period of at least one week. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising providing multiple modes of access to the TES for different classes of users, wherein the multiple modes of access comprise a clinician mode and a patient mode, wherein the clinician mode allows an authorized clinician to set stimulation settings for the TES, and the patient mode allows a patient to administer TES within parameters determined by the clinician. 
     
     
         20 . A system for treating a waste evacuation dysfunction of a user, the system comprising:
 a stimulation device configured to provide electrical stimulation signals to the user at least four times per week over a treatment period;   at least eight electrodes configured to connect with the stimulation device, the at least eight electrodes comprising four electrodes configured to be positioned in a lower back region of the user and four electrodes configured to be positioned in a lower front region of the user, the at least eight electrodes configured to provide crossing currents to produce interferential electrical stimulation within the user.