Venous electrical stimulation apparatus and methods and uses thereof

Abstract

An electrical venous stimulation apparatus comprising an electrical signal generator, the signal generator configured to generate a specified electrical output signal. The apparatus also includes a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with the signal generator and configured to be placed in electrical communication with a subject. The electrical output signal sent to the subject includes an output voltage, electrical current, and waveform that changes with time in a preprogrammed repeating cycle. The output voltage, electrical current, and waveform are configured to elicit a physiological response that stimulates a plurality of peripheral nerves in the subject, activates a venous muscle pump mechanism in one or more limbs of the subject, and non-invasively alter the physiology of target vein(s), wherein the target vein(s) is caused to distend from under the surface of the subject's skin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrical venous stimulation apparatus, comprising:
 a signal generator, the signal generator configured to generate an electrical output signal; and   multiple electrodes configured to receive the electrical output signal from the signal generator and configured to be placed in electrical communication with a subject at multiple locations, and   wherein the signal generator is configured to generate the electrical output signal with a waveform that comprises:
 a first voltage peak; 
 a voltage valley following the first voltage peak; and 
 a second voltage peak that is lower than the first voltage peak, immediately follows the voltage valley, and is configured to non-invasively alter a physiology of a target vein of a subject when delivered by the multiple electrodes. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first of the electrodes being is configured to provide the electrical output signal to a limb of the subject, and a second of the electrodes is configured to provide the electrical output signal to the limb of the subject or a second limb of the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the waveform is further configured to suppress pain signals at a venous needle stick site of the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the waveform of the electrical output signal further comprises a second voltage valley between the first voltage peak and the voltage valley. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein energy delivered in the first voltage peak is balanced by energy delivered in the voltage valley. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal generator is programmed to:
 measure a resting potential of the subject; and   prepare a next sequence of stimulation based on the resting potential.   
     
     
         7 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal generator is programmed to:
 monitor biological electrical feedback based on electrical resistance and capacitance of the subject; and   automatically adjust subsequent output signals based on the biological electrical feedback.   
     
     
         8 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first voltage peak stimulates muscles surrounding the target vein. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply for the signal generator. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein electrical output signal comprises a zero voltage portion that follows the second voltage peak. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical output signal is an AC signal with a current of less than one milliamp, a frequency of between 4 and 12 Hz, and an output voltage between 0 and 90 volts. 
     
     
         12 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target vein is caused to distend. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising electrical leads configured to provide the electrical output signal generated by the signal generator to the electrodes, each of electrical leads connecting a respective one of the electrodes to the signal generator. 
     
     
         14 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a variable control configured to adjust a magnitude of first voltage peak. 
     
     
         15 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a magnitude of the first voltage peak is variable from about 0 to about 40 volts. 
     
     
         16 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal generator further comprises:
 a power switch;   an oscillator including an integrated circuit;   a variable control configured to adjust a magnitude of the first voltage peak in response to an input; and   output circuitry comprising:
 a first stage including operational amplifiers and a capacitor; and 
 a second stage including a center tap transformer. 
   
     
     
         17 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the electrodes comprises an electrode pad having an adhesive layer disposed on one side thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple locations include locations on a limb of the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the multiple locations is a palm of the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The electrical venous stimulation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the multiple locations is a bicep of the subject.