Medical therapy arrangement for applying an electrical stimulation to a human or animal subject

Abstract

A garment worn by the patient is provided. The garment has a first module electrically connected to a second module. The first module has a first sub-control unit electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode placed at a first muscle of the patient and a third electrode and a fourth electrode placed at a second muscle. The sub-control unit is electrically connected to a master unit. The first muscle is stimulated with a first stimulation signal without shortening the first muscle by sending the first stimulation signal to the first electrode placed at the first muscle. The stimulation of the first muscle relaxes the second muscle. A measuring unit (U1) of the master unit determines a first current value flowing from the first electrode through the first muscle to the second electrode and sends the first current value to a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU compares the first current value to a current reference value and increases a voltage of the first stimulation signal when the first current value is below the current reference value.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 providing a garment worn by the patient, the garment having a first sub-control unit electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode placed at a first muscle or first nerve of the patient, the first sub-control unit being electrically connected to a master unit;   providing a fifth electrode placed at a head of the patient, the fifth electrode measuring a brain voltage signal from a brain of the patient;   the fifth electrode sending the measured brain voltage signal to a second sub-control unit;   the second sub-control unit sending the measured brain voltage signal to the master unit;   the master unit analyzing the measured brain voltage signal; and   the master unit adapting a first stimulation signal to the first sub-control unit based on the measured brain voltage signal, the first sub-control unit stimulating the first muscle or first nerve with the first stimulation signal by sending the first stimulation signal to the first electrode placed at the first muscle or first nerve.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching the second sub-control unit attached to a headband extending around the head of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of comparing the measured brain voltage signal with brain wave patterns, stored in a database, and the brain wave patterns being associated with movements of body parts. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the method further comprises the step of the master unit determining, based on the measured brain voltage signal, which muscles to stimulate to cause movement of body parts. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the method further comprises the step of the second sub-control unit transmitting the measured brain voltage signal via a serial data-bus to the master unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of the master unit retrieving previously recorded brain voltage wave patterns for muscle movements and matching the measure brain voltage signal with one of the previously recorded brain voltage wave patterns to determine which muscle to stimulate.