Patent Publication Number: US-2009228084-A1

Title: Method of non invasive stimulation of acupuncture or acupressure points utilizing at least one electrostatic field

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     U.S. patent documents 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 D274557 
                 July 1984 
                 Griffith 
               
               
                   
                 D356433 
                 March 1995 
                 Humphrey 
               
               
                   
                 4981146 
                 January 1991 
                 Bertolucci 
               
               
                   
                 5078728 
                 January 1992 
                 Giarratano 
               
               
                   
                 5695520 
                 December 1997 
                 Bruckner et al. 
               
               
                   
                 5709647 
                 January 1998 
                 Ferber 
               
               
                   
                 5774424 
                 June 1998 
                 Yoo 
               
               
                   
                 5601598 
                 February 1997 
                 Fisher 
               
               
                   
                 6228103 
                 May 2001 
                 Grey et al 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     The Names of the Parties to a Joint Research or  Development 
     Not Applicable 
     Incorporation-By-Reference of Material Submitted  on a Compact Disc 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The methods and devices described relate generally to the fields of acupuncture, acupressure and non-invasive stimulation of nerves. 
     2. Background Art 
     The present invention relates to the area of treatment of various diseases related to human beings. Particularly, the present invention is related to non invasive methods of stimulating nerves using electrostatic field(s) according to the principles of acupressure and acupuncture. This method of stimulation may be used in controlling certain symptoms and diseases in humans (e.g. nausea, insomnia, stress, hypertension) in accordance with Eastern medicine principles. The invention is also related to the embodying stimulation devices suitable for use by patients with minimum supervision of a medical caregiver. Traditional acupressure involves the stimulation of acupressure point(s) through pressure, be it of human contact (such as fingers of a practitioner of the art, fists, elbows, etc) or through the intermediate of objects. Inventors have applied this method to design devices which deliver the pressure without the need for the human hand e.g., Giarratano, U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,728, Humphrey, U.S. Pat. No. D356,433, Bruckner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,520, Griffith, U.S. Pat. No. D274,557, Ferber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,647. Yoo (U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,424). Although proven effective, the benefits of acupressure have been shown to wear out over time, as the body becomes accustomed to constant pressure. Different inventors have aimed at solving the problem by changing the pressure: Fisher (U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,598) describes a method in which the user is required to periodically stretch a band to cause changing pressure, making the user stop using the band in order to accomplish the result of changing pressure; Grey et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,103) uses a small DC motor to rotate a cam across the acupressure module to prevent the nerve from accommodation over a small predetermined period of time. While some of these methods circumvent the constancy over a short period of time, their efficacy is limited over time and their use may cause discomfort for the patients, either because they require an active participation of the patient, or because the change in pressure causes tactile discomfort, sometimes even “prickling” sensations. Anti-nausea patients, as an example of users, range from travelers on a cruise to terminally ill patients—and the patients requiring treatment over extended periods of time need not only ease of use but also need to avoid discomfort in the form of interruption in their activities or in the form of physical, sensorial discomfort. 
     Traditional acupuncture, as now practiced, involves the insertion of stainless steel needles through the patient&#39;s skin, into various body areas. A low-frequency current may be applied to the needles to produce greater stimulation. Treatment is applied to “acupuncture point(s)” which are said to be located throughout the body in accordance with Eastern medicine principles. In the last couple of decades, the TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) was invented, which substitutes the needles for electrodes; however, the device still applies current to human&#39;s “acupuncture point(s)”. These principles have been applied to portable devices, eg. Bertolucci, Nausea Control Device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,146 (Jan. 1, 1991) describes a nausea control device in the form of a watch-like housing attachable to the human wrist by an adjustable attachment band which applies non-invasive nerve stimulation to the inside of the wrist (palm side) to a point called P6 in the art of acupuncture. This non-invasive stimulation is achieved by applying electricity as passed by two electrodes. This method of stimulation, although non-invasive, can present discomfort for the user, as the sensitivity to the electricity differs according to the user and the longevity of their use, including the accommodation to the current level. Referred pain may also incur in certain areas, such as tingling or prickling sensations in the hand for TENS used in the wrist. In addition, the device requires the constant use of gel or electrodes, which may present with dermatological issues in certain patients, as well as a monetary and time inconvenience caused by having to replace electrodes on a regular basis. 
     Attempts have been made to circumvent both the constant pressure problem and the discomfort level by offering different levels of acupressure and/or electro-acupuncture. These attempts for acupressure require a relatively short period of usage, after which the nerve accommodation issue reoccurs, and the electro-acupuncture may reach a higher level of accommodation, as the changing current numbs the nerve. 
     The present invention(s) applies to the body of acupuncture and acupressure point(s) covered by both methods as one ensemble, and aims at providing both short-term and long-term patients the relief provided by stimulating these acupuncture/acupressure point(s) during normal activities with minimal supervision from a medical caregiver, such nausea control patients or other categories of patients (comprising stress relief and hypertension patients). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This section is for the purpose of summarizing some aspects of the present invention(s) and to briefly introduce some preferred embodiments. Simplifications or omissions in this section as well as in the abstract and the title may be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract and the title. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention(s). 
     Instead of using stainless steel needles, or apply currents to human&#39;s skin, the current invention(s) pertains to a method using an apparatus for providing non-invasive stimulation on the acupressure/acupuncture point(s) by directing a filtered electrostatic field to the acupressure/acupuncture point(s). This method of stimulating the acupuncture/acupressure point(s) aims at eliminating the discomfort and pain caused by needles or electric fields used in TENS as well as making the stimulation possible by the patient autonomously. Several techniques of using filtered electrostatic field(s) generator(s) and their applications are disclosed. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an applied embodiment of the method disclosed comprises a housing and may enclose some or all of the following to form a non-invasive medical device: filter(s), filter protector(s), circuit board(s), battery(ies), transformer(s), transformer connector(s), and a pair(s) of charged plates. The device may comprise a strip(s), clip(s) or tape(s) to fix a releasing window(s) firmly placed over the acupressure/acupuncture point(s). The described device may comprise at least one pair of charged plates used to release an electrostatic field(s). The charged plates receive power from a battery, batteries, a transformer or a power outlet. When such electrostatic field(s) passes a corresponding filter, it forms a filtered electrostatic field(s) released through a corresponding window, which is placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a composition comprises many treatment heads to form a single user or multi-user medical device which is able to stimulate a plurality of acupressure/acupuncture point(s) of one or more person(s) simultaneously. Each treatment head may comprise a strip(s), clip(s) or tape(s) used to place and hold the treatment head on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). The treatment head comprises at lease one pair of charged plates used to release an electrostatic field(s). When such electrostatic field(s) passes through a corresponding filter, it forms a filtered electrostatic field(s) released through a corresponding window which is placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). Each pair of charged plates and its filter can be enclosed in a plastic housing (the treatment head) with prolonged cables connected to a control unit to receive both the electrical power and the treatment instructions. One of the embodiments comprises many treatment heads to form a single user or multi-user medical device which is able to stimulate a plurality of acupressure/acupuncture point(s) of one or more person(s) simultaneously. Each treatment head may comprise a strip(s), clip(s) or tape(s) to fix the treatment head firmly placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic field(s) is(are) generated by battery(ies) or rechargeable battery(ies) which may be recharged. A housing may enclose some or all of the following to form a non-invasive medical device: the electrostatic field generating battery(ies), the filter(s), the filter protector(s), a circuit board and the power source battery(ies) or power connector. The device may comprise a strip(s), clip(s) of tape(s) used to place and hold the treatment head firmly placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). 
     Other objects, features, advantages, benefits of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed descriptions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 01A  to  FIG. 01B  show two exemplary embodiments of Electrostatic Field Generator  01 . It generates electrostatic field(s) through a pair of charged plates ( FIG. 01A ) or through a battery ( FIG. 01B ) 
         FIGS. 01C and 01D  show the other two exemplary embodiments of Electrostatic Field Generator  01  with a filter protector mechanism, consisting of a Protector  21  and an Axis  22 . It generates electrostatic field(s) through a pair of charged plates ( FIG. 01C ) or through a battery ( FIG. 01D ) 
         FIG. 01E  shows an explosion table of the elements in  FIGS. 01A ,  01 B,  01 C and  01 D. It shows their top view in the 2nd column and side view in the 3rd column. 
         FIGS. 01F ,  01 G and  01 H show how an exemplary embodiment of the Filter Protector  21  moves to protect the Filter  02 . 
         FIG. 02  shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary Filter  02  of an Electrostatic Field Generator  01 . 
         FIG. 03A  shows an exemplary embodiment of a medical Device  03  with an Electrostatic Field Generator  01  using a Field Generating Battery  18 . 
         FIG. 03B  and  FIG. 03C  show two exemplary embodiments of a Device  03  with an Electrostatic Field Generator  01  using Charged Plates  11  powered by a Powered Battery  17  or a Power Connector  19  respectively. 
         FIG. 03D  to  FIG. 03G  show 4 exemplary embodiments of a Device  03  wherein the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  is powered by Powered Battery(ies)  17  ( FIG. 03D  and  FIG. 03F ) or by a Power Connector  19  ( FIG. 03E  and  FIG. 03G ) and wherein the Device  03  comprises one ( FIG. 03D  and  FIG. 03E ) or more ( FIG. 03F  and  FIG. 03G ) Electrostatic Field Generators  01  for one or more acupressure/acupuncture point(s). 
         FIG. 03H  shows an exemplary way to apply the device to the human skin by using an exemplary watch-like belt to be worn on the wrist with its Electrostatic Field Releasing Window(s)  13  firmly placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s)  14 . An exemplary acupressure/acupuncture point P6 or Neiguan is used on this example in accordance with Eastern traditional medicine. 
         FIG. 04A  shows a functional block diagram of a Circuit Board  04  on one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 04B  and  FIG. 04C  show a flowchart or process of stimulating one or more acupuncture/acupressure points on a human in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention utilizing different Electrostatic Field Generators  01 : Electrostatic Field Generator  01 A,  01 C or Electrostatic Field Generator  01  B,  01 D respectively. 
         FIG. 05A  shows an exemplary embodiment of a detached Treatment Head  05  with an Electrostatic Field Generator  01 A which comprises a pair of Charged Plates  11  to generate an electrostatic field(s). 
         FIG. 05B  shows an exemplary way to apply a Treatment Head  05  to the human skin by using a exemplary watch-like belt to be worn with its Electrostatic Field Releasing Window(s)  13  firmly placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). An exemplary acupressure/acupuncture point(s) P6 or Neiguan is used on this example to treat certain diseases in accordance with Eastern traditional medicine. 
         FIG. 06  shows an exemplary embodiment of a device with more than one detached Treatment Head installed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to non invasive methods of stimulation of acupuncture or acupressure points for relieving symptoms of certain diseases such as nausea relief, stress relief, controlling blood pressure, etc. The present invention discovers that directing at least one electrostatic field over the acupuncture/acupressure points delivers the same therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment, without having to use acupuncture needles, and without having to puncture skin to reach acupuncture points as practiced in conventional acupuncture therapies; it also delivers the same therapeutic effects of acupressure treatment without have to use the hands as practiced in conventional acupressure therapies. 
     The detailed description of the invention is presented largely in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble the operations of data processing devices. These process descriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. 
     Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be comprised in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations in the invention. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a preferred embodiment comprises a watch-like housing used to encase at least an electrostatic field generator which may comprise any or all of the following: charged plates, battery(ies), rechargeable battery (ies), electrostatic field filter(s), electrostatic field releasing window(s). When such an electrostatic field(s) goes through a filter, the current invention directs the filtered electrostatic field(s) to the human skin through a releasing window contact to stimulate an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). The voltage of the charged plates is at a prescribed voltage of approximately 1.2 to 100 V. Various power sources such as a battery(ies), battery box, transformer, direct power outlet may be attached to the device to achieve various forms of devices. 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. From  FIG. 01A  to  FIG. 01D  shows 4 preferred designs of an Electrostatic Field Generator  01 . Wherein,  FIG. 01A  shows the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  uses a pair of Charged Plates  11  held by a Holder  12 . An Explosion diagram is shown on  FIG. 01E . The Charged Plates  11  are charged through the Power Line  15  and generate electrostatic field(s) which passes the Filter  02  and forms a filtered electrostatic field(s) which stimulates acupuncture/acupressure points in accordance with Eastern medicine principles. Alternatively, the Charged Plates  11  can be replaced with a Field Generating Battery  18  as shown on  FIG. 01B . 
       FIG. 01C  shows an Electrostatic Field Generator  01  comprising a pair of Charged Plates  11  which are charged by the Power Line  15 . A Holder  12  holds both the Charged Plates  11  and the Filter  02 . An Axis  22  is joined to the Holder  12  and a Filter Protector  21  is further joined to the Axis  22 . An Explosion diagram is shown on  FIG. 01E . The Electrostatic Field Generator  01  generates the filtered electrostatic field(s) when the electrostatic field(s) passes through the Filter  02 . (I will describe how the Filter Protector  21  and Axis  22  function to protect the Filter  02  later on  FIGS. 01F ,  01 G and  01 H). Alternatively, the Charged Plates  11  can be replaced with a Field Generating Battery  18  as shown on  FIG. 01B . 
       FIG. 01E  shows an Explosion table of  FIGS. 01A ,  01 B,  01 C and  01 D. It shows a top view in the 2nd column and a side view of the items described in the 3rd column. There are four shapes of holders: the first one with two notches to hold a pair of Charged Plates  11 , as used on  FIG. 01A ; the second one, with only one notch to hold a Field Generating Battery  18 , as shown on  FIG. 01B ; the third one, with three notches to hold a pair of Charged Plates  11  and the Filter  02 , as used on  FIG. 01C ; and the last one comprises 2 notches to hold the Field Generating Battery  18  and the Filter  02 , as used on  FIG. 01D . The last row on the  FIG. 01E  contains the Filter Protector  21  and Axis  22 ; they are used only on  FIG. 01C  and  FIG. 01D . 
       FIGS. 01F ,  01 G and  01 H show how an exemplary embodiment of Filter Protector  21  works. After the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  has been used, the Axis  22  will spin to promote the Holder  12  shown on  FIG. 01F  and  FIG. 01G  and make room for Filter Protector  21  to move in. The Axis  22  spins further and causes the Filter Protector  21  to rotate and move into right below the Filter  02  shown on  FIG. 01H  to protect the Filter  02  against any possible dust coming from the Electrostatic Field Releasing Window(s)  13 . When the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  begins to be used, the Axis  22  spins reversely to move the Filter Protector  21  away from the Filter  02  and further spinning will lower the Holder  12  and move the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  to the ready-to-use position. 
       FIG. 02  shows a side view of a magnified Filter  02 . There are hundred of holes on the filter. When the electrostatic field(s) passes through the holes in the filter, it generates a filtered electrostatic field(s). The current invention is to apply the filtered electrostatic field(s) to a human skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s). 
       FIG. 03A  to  FIG. 03G  shows 7 preferred embodiments of the invention, which is a completely non-invasive device (device  03 ) and may be used by a patient with or without supervision from a caregiver or from a hospital facility. Optionally, the device  03  may comprise an Output Unit  23  (such as LED or LCD) (not shown) and/or an Input Unit  24  (such as a keypad) (not shown) to communicate with the user. 
     According to one embodiment shown on  FIG. 03A , the Device  03  uses a single Field Generating Battery  18  and a Filter  02  to generate the filtered electrostatic field(s) to be released through the Electrostatic Field Releasing Window(s)  13  which is placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s)  14 . 
     According to another embodiment shown on  FIG. 03B , the Device  03  uses a Powered Battery  17  to charge the Charged Plates  11  and a Filter  02  to generate the filtered electrostatic field(s) to be released through the Electrostatic Field Releasing Window(s)  13  which is placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s)  14 . 
     According to another embodiment shown on  FIG. 03C , the Device  03  uses a Power connector  19  to receive external power to replace the Powered Battery(ies)  17  shown on  FIG. 03B . 
     According to 4 preferred embodiments shown on  FIGS. 03D ,  03 E,  03 F and  03 G, the Device  03  is equipped with a Circuit Board  04  which is able to control the voltage of the Electrostatic Field Generator  01 . It can control the polarity of the Charged Plates  11  on those Electrostatic Field Generator  01  equipped with Charged Plates  11 . The Electrostatic Field Generator  01  releases the filtered electrostatic field(s) through the Electrostatic Field Releasing Window(s)  13  which is placed on a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s)  14 . The Circuit Board  04  may receive commands from users through Input Unit(s)  24  (such as buttons and/or key pads) not shown on the drawings, then process accordingly and send the status of the device to an Output Unit(s)  23  (such as LED or LCD) not shown on the drawings. The devices  03  shown on  FIG. 03D  and  FIG. 03F  are powered by a Powered Battery  17 ; they are equipped with one and three Electrostatic Field Generators  01  respectively. The Device  03  shown on  FIG. 03E  and  FIG. 03G  are powered by outside power sources through their Power Connector  19 ; they are equipped with one and three Electrostatic Field Generators  01  respectively. 
       FIG. 04A  shows an exemplary functional block diagram of a Circuit Board  04  on one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The Circuit Board  04  is equipped with a Processing Center  28  which controls the Voltage Controller  27 , which may be a transformer or a battery charger/discharger, and further controls the voltage of the Electrostatic Field Generator  01 . The Processing Center  28  may also control the field direction of the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  A or  01 C by changing the polarity of the Charged Plates  11 . The Circuit Board  04  accepts user(s) commands through an Input Unit  24  and displays the system status onto an Output Unit  23  (such as speakers, LCD etc). 
     Referring now to the drawings  FIG. 04B  and  FIG. 04C ; they show an exemplary flowchart of a Circuit Board  04  on a Device  03  using the Charged Plates  11  Electrostatic Field Generator  01  shown on  FIG. 01A and 01C . The system removes the Filter Protector  21  (if any) and reads the user&#39;s settings then confirming to the definition of the wave form set by the user by changing the voltage over time and the field direction of the Charged Plates  11  of the Electrostatic Field Generator  01  ( FIG. 01A ,  FIG. 01C ). When treatment time is due the system then restores the Filter Protector  21  and turns off the power. 
       FIG. 04C  shows another exemplary flowchart of a Circuit Board  04  on a Device  03  using the Battery Electrostatic Field Generator  01 B or  01 D. The system removes the Filter Protector  21  (if any) and reads the user(s)&#39;s settings and the current voltage of the rechargeable Field Generating Battery  18  then charges (discharges) the Field Generating Battery  18  to increase (decrease) the voltage accordingly. When treatment time is due or in hold status the system then restores the Filter Protector  21  and turns off the power. 
       FIGS. 05A ,  05 B show a Treatment Head  05  with extended Cable  16 . The Treatment Head  05  contains an Electrostatic Field Generator  01 A which is controlled by a Circuit Board  04  (not shown) outside the Treatment Head  05  and inside a Treatment Machine  06  (see  FIG. 06 ) through the cable. The Treatment Head may be fixed to a skin contact pertaining to an acupressure/acupuncture point(s)  14  by a belt as shown on  FIG. 05B . 
       FIG. 06  shows a Treatment Machine  06 , which is an exemplary application of the Treatment Head  05 , and is comprised of a plurality of Treatment Heads connected via extended Cables  16 . The Treatment Machine  06  is equipped with an Input unit  24 , an Output Unit  23  and a Cable Connector  20  for each Treatment Head  05 ; so that each Treatment Head  05  may have its own settings and may operate differently and independently. The advantage of this application is that the Treatment Machine  06  can be used by multiple users simultaneously and can stimulate different acupressure/acupuncture point(s) of each user. 
     The present invention has been described in sufficient details with a certain degree of particularity. It is understood to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by way of examples only and that numerous changes in the arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. While the embodiments discussed herein may appear to comprise some limitations as to the presentation of the information units, in terms of the format and arrangement, the invention has applicability well beyond such embodiment, which can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.