Modular stimulus applicator system and method

Abstract

A modular stimulus applicator system and method are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of wirelessly controlled stimulus pods, anchored to a patient's body, and configured to deliver stimulus to the patient's body. The stimulus can be heat, vibration, or electrical stimulus, or any combination thereof. The stimulus pods are controlled by a control station that can include a user-interface through which the patient can control application of the stimulus.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A therapeutic stimulus application system, comprising:
 a plurality of stimulus pods, individual stimulus pods comprising a battery, a first communication link, and a stimulus delivery surface for application to selected portions of a human body through which stimulus is applied to the portions of the human body;   a base comprising a plurality of sockets configured to receive the stimulus pods, wherein the individual sockets comprise a power transmission mechanism through which electrical power is transferred to the battery of individual stimulus pods when the stimulus pods are positioned in the socket; and   a control station comprising a second communication link configured to communicate with the first communication link of individual stimulus pods, and an input device through which input commands are received, wherein the control station instructs the stimulus pods to deliver the stimulus to the human body according to the input commands.   
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic heat application system of  claim 7  wherein the control station and the base are part of a single unit. 
     
     
         9 . The therapeutic heat application device of  claim 7  wherein individual stimulus pods comprise a disk-shaped device approximately one inch in diameter, and wherein the stimulus pods are held to the human body by an anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of stimulus pods comprises at least one index stimulus pod and at least one dummy stimulus pod, and wherein the index stimulus pod is configured to communicate between the dummy stimulus pod and the control station. 
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 7  wherein the stimulus comprises heat, the system further comprising a thermal limiter comprising at least one temperature sensor, the thermal limiter being in communication with the plurality of stimulus pods to instruct the stimulus pods to cease applying heat if the temperature sensor detects a temperature above a predetermined threshold temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 11  wherein the thermal limiter comprises a thermal fuse that interrupts power to the stimulus delivery surface if the temperature sensor detects a temperature above the predetermined threshold temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 7  wherein the control station comprises a portable electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 7  wherein the power transmission mechanism comprises an induction charger, and wherein the stimulus pods comprise an induction charge receiver that transfers energy from the induction charger to the battery. 
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 7  wherein the power transmission mechanism comprises a conductive charger, and wherein the stimulus pods comprise a jack for connection to the conductive charger. 
     
     
         16 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 7 , further comprising a memory for storing a sequence of operations for the stimulus pods. 
     
     
         17 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 16  wherein the sequence of operations comprises a combination of ramp up operations, maximum stimulus intensity operations, ramp down operations, stimulus soak operations, and lockout period operations. 
     
     
         18 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 17  wherein:
 the ramp up operations comprise gradually increasing a temperature applied through the heating surface of the stimulus pods; 
 the maximum stimulus intensity operations comprise maintaining the stimulus at a predetermined maximum energy level; 
 the ramp down operations comprise gradually decreasing the stimulus; 
 the stimulus soak operations comprise maintaining the stimulus at a predetermined soak stimulus level below the predetermined maximum energy level; and wherein 
 the lockout period operations comprise interrupting stimulus from the stimulus pods. 
 
     
     
         19 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 17  wherein the input device receives a selection from between ramp up operations, maximum temperature operations, ramp down operations, temperature soak operations, and lockout period operations. 
     
     
         20 . The therapeutic stimulus application system of  claim 17  wherein the stimulus pods execute the lockout period for a predetermined time interval in response to at least one of:
 a temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature; 
 an energy delivery level exceeding a predetermined threshold energy delivery level; and 
 the stimulus applying stimulating the heating surface for more than a predetermined time threshold. 
 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising
 locating a plurality of wireless stimulus pods relative to a patient's body;   determining a treatment plan for stimulus delivery to the patient's body through the stimulus pods, including at least one of a ramp up operation, a ramp down operation, a stimulus soak operation, and a lockout period; and   receiving operator input directing application of the stimulus to the plurality of stimulus pods, including a selection from among the ramp up operation, the ramp down operation, the stimulus soak operation, and the lockout period; and   instructing the stimulus pods to deliver the stimulus according to the treatment plan and the operator input.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein locating the plurality of wireless stimulus pods comprises wirelessly receiving an indication of location from the stimulus pods at a control station. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein receiving the operator input comprises receiving input through a user-interface of a control station, and wherein instructing the stimulus pods comprises instructing the stimulus pods from a control station to deliver the stimulus. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the stimulus comprises at least one of heat, vibration, and electrical stimulus. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising detecting an energy delivery level and comparing the energy delivery level to a predetermined threshold, wherein the lockout period is applied if the energy delivery level exceeds the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the stimulus comprises at least one of heat, vibration, and electrical stimulus, and wherein the predetermined threshold includes a first threshold for heat, a second threshold for vibration, and a third threshold for electrical stimulus. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the stimulus is heat, the method further comprising detecting a temperature of the stimulus pods, and wherein the lockout period continues until the temperature of the stimulus pods falls below a predetermined threshold temperature. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the lockout period is triggered after the stimulus has been continually applied for more than a predetermined threshold time. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising positioning the stimulus pods on the patient's body on or near a source of pain. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21  wherein locating the wireless stimulus pods and instructing the stimulus pods comprises communicating from a base station to an index stimulus pod and from the index stimulus pod to at least one dummy stimulus pod. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21  wherein locating the plurality of wireless stimulus pods relative to the patient's body comprises determining an area of the patient's body directly contacted by a stimulus pod, and determining an area of effect not directly contacted by the stimulus pod but within an effective region of the stimulus pod. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the area of effect varies according to positions on the patient's body. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the size of the area of effect is generally inversely proportional to a nerve density of the patient's body contacting the stimulus pod.