Apparatus and method for microcurrent stimulation therapy

Abstract

Apparatus and method for treatment of a human condition and more particularly for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the human body, via an apparatus which connects to a micro-stimulation current generating device, and application of microcurrent stimulation therapy, that includes a headset device encircling the head, and connected to electrode strips (such as a one-use disposable chip-electrode array having a unique serial number or crypto code and other functionality that is used by the system to look up and deliver customized therapy to a particular patient having their own particular symptoms and medical history), which deliver the stimulation.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the parameters are further based on particular symptoms and medical history associated with the patient. 
     
     
         3 . A system for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient, the system comprising:
 a head-mounted device configured to be mounted to the patient's head;   a chip-electrode-array circuit operatively coupled to the head-mounted device, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes at least one integrated-circuit chip and at least one electrode-array strip configured to deliver the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes a unique identification number; and   a computer server operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is configured to communicate with the computer server in order to have the computer server look up parameters based at least in part on the unique identification number and communicate the looked-up parameters to the chip-electrode-array circuit for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the unique identification number is a serial number stored in the at least one integrated-circuit chip and communicated from the at least one integrated-circuit chip to the computer server.   
     
     
         4 . A system for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient, the system comprising:
 a head-mounted device configured to be mounted to the patient's head;   a chip-electrode-array circuit operatively coupled to the head-mounted device, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes at least one integrated-circuit chip and at least one electrode-array strip configured to deliver the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes a unique identification number; and   a computer server operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is configured to communicate with the computer server in order to have the computer server look up parameters based at least in part on the unique identification number and communicate the looked-up parameters to the chip-electrode-array circuit for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the unique identification number is a serial number printed on the at least one electrode-array strip and read by a camera to obtain image data that is communicated to the computer server.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is a one-use disposable chip-electrode-array circuit. 
     
     
         6 . A system for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient, the system comprising:
 a head-mounted device configured to be mounted to the patient's head;   a chip-electrode-array circuit operatively coupled to the head-mounted device, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes at least one integrated-circuit chip and at least one electrode-array strip configured to deliver the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes a unique identification number; and   a computer server operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is configured to communicate with the computer server in order to have the computer server look up parameters based at least in part on the unique identification number and communicate the looked-up parameters to the chip-electrode-array circuit for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the unique identification number includes public-key encryption information that is used by the computer server to encrypt data sent to the chip-electrode-array circuit.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the computer server includes a medical-results-and-indication database, and wherein results of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy are transmitted to the medical-results-and-indication database to be analyzed in order to improve future therapy sessions. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes a microprocessor integrated with the chip-electrode-array circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 55 , further comprising:
 a local microprocessor system operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 55 , further comprising:
 a local microprocessor system operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit, wherein the local microprocessor system includes a first portion located on the head-mounted device and a second portion located remotely from the head-mounted device.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the received parameters are further based on particular symptoms and medical history associated with the patient. 
     
     
         13 . A method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a chip-electrode-array circuit that includes at least one integrated-circuit chip, at least one electrode-array strip, and a unique identification number, the method comprising:
 providing a head-mounted device;   connecting the at least one electrode-array strip to the head-mounted device;   mounting the head-mounted device to the patient's head such that the head-mounted device applies the at least one electrode-array strip to the patient's skin;   transmitting information from the chip-electrode-array circuit to a computer server, wherein the transmitted information includes the unique identification number;   receiving into the chip-electrode-array circuit, from the computer server, parameters for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the received parameters are based at least in part on the unique identification number; and   delivering, via the at least one electrode-array strip, the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient based on the received parameters, wherein the unique identification number is a serial number stored in the at least one integrated-circuit chip, and wherein the transmitting of the information includes communicating the serial number from the at least one integrated-circuit chip to the computer server.   
     
     
         14 . A method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a chip-electrode-array circuit that includes at least one integrated-circuit chip, at least one electrode-array strip, and a unique identification number, the method comprising:
 providing a head-mounted device;   connecting the at least one electrode-array strip to the head-mounted device;   mounting the head-mounted device to the patient's head such that the head-mounted device applies the at least one electrode-array strip to the patient's skin;   transmitting information from the chip-electrode-array circuit to a computer server, wherein the transmitted information includes the unique identification number;   receiving into the chip-electrode-array circuit, from the computer server, parameters for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the received parameters are based at least in part on the unique identification number; and   delivering, via the at least one electrode-array strip, the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient based on the received parameters, wherein the unique identification number is a serial number printed on the at least one electrode-array strip, and wherein the transmitting of the information includes reading, using a camera, the printed serial number to obtain image data and communicating the obtained image data to the computer server.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is a one-use disposable chip-electrode-array circuit. 
     
     
         16 . A method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a chip-electrode-array circuit that includes at least one integrated-circuit chip, at least one electrode-array strip, and a unique identification number, the method comprising:
 providing a head-mounted device;   connecting the at least one electrode-array strip to the head-mounted device;   mounting the head-mounted device to the patient's head such that the head-mounted device applies the at least one electrode-array strip to the patient's skin;   transmitting information from the chip-electrode-array circuit to a computer server, wherein the transmitted information includes the unique identification number;   receiving into the chip-electrode-array circuit, from the computer server, parameters for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the received parameters are based at least in part on the unique identification number; and   delivering, via the at least one electrode-array strip, the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient based on the received parameters, wherein the unique identification number includes public-key encryption information, the method further comprising encrypting data sent to the chip-electrode-array circuit from the computer server using the public-key encryption information.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising
 transmitting results of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a database located on the computer server; and   analyzing the results in order to improve future therapy sessions.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising integrating a microprocessor with the chip-electrode-array circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a local microprocessor system; and   coupling the local microprocessor system to the chip-electrode-array circuit.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 providing a local microprocessor system, wherein the local microprocessor system includes a first portion and a second portion; and   coupling the first portion of the local microprocessor system to the head-mounted device, wherein the second portion of the local microprocessor system is located remotely from the head-mounted device.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , further comprising instructions such that the received parameters are further based on particular symptoms and medical history associated with the patient. 
     
     
         23 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information processor to execute a method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a chip-electrode-array circuit that includes at least one integrated-circuit chip, at least one electrode-array strip, and a unique identification number, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is coupled to a head-mounted device, the method comprising:
 transmitting information from the chip-electrode-array circuit to a computer server, wherein the transmitted information includes the unique identification number;   receiving into the chip-electrode-array circuit, from the computer server, parameters for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the received parameters are based at least in part on the unique identification number; and   delivering, via the at least one electrode-array strip, the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient based on the received parameters, wherein the unique identification number is a serial number stored in the at least one integrated-circuit chip, and wherein the transmitting of the information includes communicating the serial number from the at least one integrated-circuit chip to the computer server.   
     
     
         24 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information processor to execute a method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a chip-electrode-array circuit that includes at least one integrated-circuit chip, at least one electrode-array strip, and a unique identification number, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is coupled to a head-mounted device, the method comprising:
 transmitting information from the chip-electrode-array circuit to a computer server, wherein the transmitted information includes the unique identification number;   receiving into the chip-electrode-array circuit, from the computer server, parameters for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the received parameters are based at least in part on the unique identification number; and   delivering, via the at least one electrode-array strip, the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient based on the received parameters, wherein the unique identification number is a serial number printed on the at least one electrode-array strip, and wherein the transmitting of the information includes reading, using a camera, the printed serial number to obtain image data and communicating the obtained image data to the computer server.   
     
     
         25 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably programmed information processor to execute a method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a chip-electrode-array circuit that includes at least one integrated-circuit chip, at least one electrode-array strip, and a unique identification number, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is coupled to a head-mounted device, the method comprising:
 transmitting information from the chip-electrode-array circuit to a computer server, wherein the transmitted information includes the unique identification number;   receiving into the chip-electrode-array circuit, from the computer server, parameters for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the received parameters are based at least in part on the unique identification number; and   delivering, via the at least one electrode-array strip, the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient based on the received parameters, wherein the unique identification number includes public-key encryption information, the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising instructions such that the method further comprises:   encrypting data sent to the chip-electrode-array circuit from the computer server using the public-key encryption information.   
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , further comprising instructions such that the method further comprises:
 transmitting results of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a database located on the computer server; and   analyzing the results in order to improve future therapy sessions.   
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising at least a first ground electrode coupled to the head-mounted device and configured to be placed at a ground location on the patient. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the head-mounted device includes a display configured to present information related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the head-mounted device includes a plurality of light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) configured to provide light signals that provide information related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a head-mounted device configured to mount to a head of the patient, wherein the head-mounted device includes at least a first haptic vibration device configured to provide vibration that provides information related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy;   a plurality of electrodes coupled to the head-mounted device such that the plurality of electrodes contact the patient at a plurality of contact points when the head-mounted device is worn by the patient, wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to deliver the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient via the plurality of contact points;   a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to control electrical current that passes through the plurality of electrodes during delivery of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy; and   a pressure device configured to control a contact pressure of the plurality of electrodes at the plurality of contact points.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is part of at least a first disposable chip-electrode-array circuit. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is part of at least a first disposable chip-electrode-array circuit on a flexible substrate, and wherein the flexible substrate further includes an adhesive layer and electrically conductive gel. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the controller is built into the head-mounted device. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the controller is located separately from the head-mounted device and is wirelessly coupled to the head-mounted device. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is part of at least a first disposable chip-electrode-array circuit that includes a unique serial number (USN) that identifies the at least first disposable chip-electrode-array circuit and allows encrypted communications between the controller and a remote server that contains medical and therapy information associated with the patient. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising sensors operatively coupled to the controller and configured to provide feedback related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy. 
     
     
         38 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 providing a first ground electrode;   coupling the first ground electrode to the head-mounted device; and   placing the first ground electrode at a ground location on the patient.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 displaying information related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the head-mounted device includes a plurality of light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), the method further comprising:
 generating light signals using the plurality of LEDs in order to provide information related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the head-mounted device includes at least a first haptic vibration device, the method further comprising:
 generating vibration signals using the at least first haptic vibration device in order to provide information related to the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 providing a flexible substrate that includes an adhesive layer and electrically conductive gel; and   mounting the at least a first disposable chip-electrode-array circuit on the flexible substrate.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the controlling of the electrical current occurs within the head-mounted device. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the controlling of the electrical current occurs remote from the head-mounted device. 
     
     
         49 . A method for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient via a disposable chip-electrode-array circuit that connects to a micro-stimulation current generating head-mounted device, the method comprising:
 mounting the head-mounted device to the patient's head;   applying one or more electrode strips of the disposable chip-electrode-array circuit to a plurality of contact points on the patient's skin;   connecting the one or more electrode strips to the head-mounted device;   controlling electrical current that passes through the one or more electrode strips during delivery of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy; and   controlling a contact pressure of the one or more electrode strips at the plurality of contact points, wherein the disposable chip-electrode-array circuit includes a unique serial number (USN) that identifies the disposable chip-electrode-array circuit for a remote server that contains medical and therapy information associated with the patient, wherein the controlling of the electrical current includes transmitting and receiving encrypted communications between the chip-electrode-array circuit and the remote server.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 providing one or more sensors operatively coupled to the head-mounted device, wherein the controlling of the electrical current includes receiving feedback from the one or more sensors during the applying of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy.   
     
     
         51 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the unique identification number is stored in the at least one integrated-circuit chip and communicated from the at least one integrated-circuit chip to the computer server. 
     
     
         55 . A system for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient, the system comprising:
 a head-mounted device configured to be mounted to the patient's head;   a chip-electrode-array circuit operatively coupled to the head-mounted device, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes at least one integrated-circuit chip and at least one electrode-array strip configured to deliver the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes a unique identification number; and   a computer server operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is configured to communicate with the computer server in order to have the computer server look up parameters based at least in part on the unique identification number and communicate the looked-up parameters to the chip-electrode-array circuit for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the unique identification number is printed on the at least one electrode-array strip and read by a camera to obtain image data that is communicated to the computer server.   
     
     
         56 . A system for applying bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to a patient, the system comprising:
 a head-mounted device configured to be mounted to the patient's head;   a chip-electrode-array circuit operatively coupled to the head-mounted device, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes at least one integrated-circuit chip and at least one electrode-array strip configured to deliver the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy to the patient, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit includes a unique identification number; and   a computer server operatively coupled to the chip-electrode-array circuit, wherein the chip-electrode-array circuit is configured to communicate with the computer server in order to have the computer server look up parameters based at least in part on the unique identification number and communicate the looked-up parameters to the chip-electrode-array circuit for the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy, wherein the at least one electrode-array strip includes a plurality of electrodes configured to contact the patient at a plurality of electrode-contact points, the system further comprising a plurality of light emitters, wherein the plurality of light emitters is configured to indicate which of the plurality of electrode-contact points is activated during delivery of the bio-electric microcurrent stimulation therapy.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the unique identification number includes public-key encryption information. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the unique identification number is machine readable in the form of a quick-response (QR) symbol. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the unique identification number is machine readable in the form of a bar code. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the at least one integrated-circuit chip is configured to authenticate itself. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one integrated-circuit chip of the chip-electrode-array circuit is used to confirm electrode identity and authenticity of the at least one electrode-array strip.