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 garment for treating a patient, comprising:
 a garment having an independently functioning first module having a first sub-control unit electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode, an independently functioning second module having a second sub-control unit electrically connected to a third electrode and a fourth electrode, and an independently functioning third module having a third sub-control unit electrically connected to a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode, the first module being removably connected to the second module, the second module being removably connected to the third module;   the first, second and third sub-control units being electrically connected to a master unit;   a first connector electrically and removably connecting the first module to the second module;   a second connector electrically and removably connecting the second module to a third module;   the master unit having a central processor unit for sending a first power, first data signals and a first stimulation signal to the first sub-control units a second power, second data signals and a second stimulation signal to the second sub-control unit, and a third power, third data signals and a third stimulation signal to the third sub-control unit; and   the first sub-control unit receiving the second and third data signals from the master unit and ignoring the second and third data signals.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the garment further comprises a connector removably connected to the master unit. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the garment comprises a headband electrically connected to the second module. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the headband has a sixth electrode on an inside of the headband. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 4  wherein the headband has a sub-control unit in communication with the sixth electrode and the master unit. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the first, second and third sub-control units each has a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with the master unit. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 6  wherein the first sub-control unit has an output unit in communication with the first and second electrodes.