Abstract:
The present invention is a device for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient that corresponds to a meridian. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an ergonomically pistol grip device that reduces fatigue by the placement of the head and motor and other key components. Another embodiment of the invention is the location of a fan and sound-deadening foam to limit the noise and heat to which the user is exposed during operation of the probe. Embodiment is the isolation hood which contains a removable tip and ergonomically design to prevent user fatigue and comfort to the patient.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a probe for obtaining electrical signals from a patient to assess a medical condition. In particular, the present invention relates to a probe for accurately locating a meridian transdermally and obtaining a value for an electrical attribute that is ergonomically design and easy to manufacture. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0002]    Traditional medical science has long recognized certain electrical characteristics of humans and other living organisms. For example, the traditional medical community has recognized electrical potentials generated by the human body in such forms as brain waves, detected by electro-encephalographs (EEG), electrical impulses resulting from muscular heart activity, as detected by electrocardiograms (EKG), and other electrical potentials measurable at other areas of the human body. While the levels of electrical activity at sites on the human body are relatively small, such signals are nonetheless measurable and consistent across the species. 
         [0003]    In addition to measurable currents, the human body and other mammalian organisms exhibit specific locations where a resistance value and, inversely, a conductance value are relatively predictable for healthy individuals. These locations, known as anatomical dermal conductance points, exhibit unique resistance values. Interestingly, such locations exhibit a resistive reading of approximately 100,000 ohms and coincide with the acupuncture points defined anciently by 35 the Chinese. 
         [0004]    Ancient Chinese medical practitioners treated many unfavorable health conditions by inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to pierce peripheral nerves, a technique commonly known as acupuncture. Acupressure is a gentle, noninvasive form of the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture that implements thumb or finger pressure or electrical stimulation at these same points, also known as acupressure points, to provide similar results. 
         [0005]    The representative acupressure points and their relationship with organs and life systems of the human body have been characterized into more than 800 points that are organized into approximately 12 basic meridians that run along each side of the body. Each pair of meridians corresponds to a specific organ or function such as stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas and lung. Acupressure points are named for the meridian they lie on, and each is given a number according to where along the meridian it falls. For example, Spleen 6 is the sixth point on the Spleen meridian. The measurable attributes of each acupressure point reflect the energetic condition of the inner organ or other functions of the human body corresponding to such point. 
         [0006]    Acupressure points are generally located at the extremity region of the hands and feet. As introduced above, the resistance value of healthy tissue measured at an acupressure point is generally in the range of about 100,000 ohms. When conditions arise affecting higher conductivity readings, perhaps from inflammation or infection, the measured resistance value becomes less than 100,000 ohms. Likewise when conditions arise affecting lower conductivity readings, perhaps from tissue fatigue or a degenerative state, conductivity is reduced, causing the resistance value to be higher. 
         [0007]    Systems have been implemented to measure a resistance, voltage, and/or current values at acupressure points located on a meridian and to present the values to a clinician for use in assessing a condition. Traditional systems, however, have proven difficult to use in pinpointing the precise location of such acupressure points, as required to effectively assess a medical condition. Indeed, most known systems require contacting an acupressure point with the probe tip placed with a specific amount of pressure at a specific angle to obtain a reliable electrical measurement for assessment use. 
         [0008]    Measurement inaccuracies result from the failure to precisely locate the probe tip on the acupressure point and properly apply the appropriate rate and amount of pressure to the probe tip. Furthermore, if too much or too little pressure is applied to the point or if the pressure is applied too slowly or too quickly the measured values will either be false high or low. 
         [0009]    Learning the proper techniques to obtain accurate readings can take months and even then some may not ever be able to acquire the skill necessary to respectively obtain accurate readings. One of the reason why learning proper techniques takes so long is the prior art probes are difficult to use. The prior art probes caused the users hand to become easily fatigue, the probes are noisy and difficult to manufacture. Prior inventions such as the Horne U.S. Pat. No. 7,542,796 teaches an improved method for obtaining the electrical signal. However, the prior art probe and the probe taught in Horne, have the same limitations stated above. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, what is needed is an improved probe for accurately applying the appropriate rate and amount of pressure to the probe tip and locating a meridian or acupressure point that limits hand fatigue, limits noise, and is easier to manufacture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is a probe for obtaining measured electrical values from a patient that correspond to a meridian or acupressure point. The present invention contemplates an agronomical probe for measuring and comparing the conductivity of a patient&#39;s skin. An isolation hood at the end of the probe is then held in contact with the dermal area, and the probe tip is directed toward the skin by a motor actuated to obtain an electrical signal there from. The probe is specially designed with a motor and logic feedback loop to apply an appropriate amount of pressure to the dermal area to accurately measure the signal at a meridian. In addition, to provide a probe that is easily manufacture. 
         [0012]    An object of some embodiments is to minimize the electrical interference from the motor on readings from the probe tip. Yet another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient that enables fast and accurate results that limits users hand fatigue, limits the noise, and protects the users from the heat produced by the motor. 
         [0013]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, and preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompany drawing, which for a part hereof: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a side plan view of the probe; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a cross section of the probe illustrating the location of the motor and the location of the electrical cords; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the probe illustrating the location of the fan and the sound deadening foam; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a side view with the exploded view of the tip and the isolation hood; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a cross section of the probe illustrating; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a side plan and the longitudinal axis of the handle and head. 
       
    
    
       [0021]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawing -Reference Numbers 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Probe 
               
               
                 4 
                 Cord 
               
               
                 6 
                 Trigger 
               
               
                 8 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 10 
                 Isolation hood 
               
               
                 12 
                 Head 
               
               
                 13 
                 Proximal end 
               
               
                 14 
                 Air vent 
               
               
                 15 
                 Distal end 
               
               
                 16 
                 Fan 
               
               
                 17 
                 Concave surface 
               
               
                 18 
                 Sound-deadening foam 
               
               
                 20 
                 Motor 
               
               
                 21 
                 Removable cover 
               
               
                 22 
                 Washer 
               
               
                 26 
                 Detector 
               
               
                 28 
                 Probe tip 
               
               
                 30 
                 O-ring 
               
               
                 32 
                 Wire 
               
               
                 34 
                 Locking screw 
               
               
                 36 
                 Wire Stay 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The following discussion describes embodiments of the invention and several variations of these embodiments. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to these particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. It is not necessary that the probe have all the feature described below with regard to the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the figures. 
         [0023]    In the flowing description of the invention, certain terminology is used for the purpose of reference only, and is not intend to be limiting. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below,” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “inward” and “outward” refer to directions towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component described. Terms such as “side”, “top”, “bottom,” “horizontal,” and “vertical,” describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology includes words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6  shows certain embodiments of the present device. A probe  2  assembly comprises a handle  8  and a head  12 . In practice, the head  12  and the handle  8  are formed as a single piece made from the same material such as plastic. The longitudinal axis of the handle  8  is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head  12 , thus forming a pistol grip. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the preferred embodiment of the invention is the longitudinal axis of the head  12  is at a 85 to 75 degree angle  38  to the longitudinal axis of the handle  8 . This angle allows for the probe  2  to fit easily into a user&#39;s hand. 
         [0025]    The head  12  comprises a proximal end  13  and a distal end  15 . Located at the proximal end  13  is an isolation hood  40 . Located at the distal end  15  is an air vent  14 . The air vent  14  allows for the flow of air through the head  12 . Contained inside the head  12  near the proximal end  13  is a probe tip  28 . The probe tip  28  is functionally discrete from the isolation hood  10 . In this manner, pressure applied to the isolation hood  10  does not affect pressure applied to the probe tip  28 . The isolation hood  10  allows the probe tip  28  to independently slide through the isolation hood  10 . The isolation hood  10  thus ensures that an electrical signal obtained by the probe tip  28  is objective and repeatable by preventing manipulation of the probe  2 . 
         [0026]    The center of the isolation hood  10  flairs outwards to create a concave surface  17 . The concave surface  17  allows the user to easily grasp the isolation hood  10 . In operation of the probe  2 , the user would place their thumb and index finger on the concave surface  17 . The isolation hood  10  is mainly comprised of stainless steel. However, the isolation hood  10  may be composed of other non-corrosive materials, such as ceramics or plastics. A rubberized material may be placed on the outside surface of the isolation hood  10  to increase the friction between the user&#39;s fingers and the probe  2 . Located at the end of the isolation hood  40  is a removable cover  21 . During use of the probe, the removable cover  21  is placed against the patient&#39;s skin. The removable cover  21  is removed and placed after each patient. The removable cover  21  is made with any material that is comfortable to the patient such as silicone or a soft plastic. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , located near the distal end  15 , is a motor  20 , which is enclosed within in the head  12 . An O-ring  30  is placed between the head  8  and the motor  20 . This assembly prevents the movement of the motor  20  within the head  8  and the heat from the motor  20  transferring to the head  12 . The O-ring  30  may be made of any rubberized heat resistant material such as silicone. 
         [0028]    Coupled to the probe tip  28  is a detector  26 . The connection between the probe tip  28  and detector  26 , is such that the user may easily but purposely remove the probe tip  28 . The preferred method of connection? is screw threads. The detector  26  is made of any material that conducts an electrical signal from the probe tip  28  to a wire  32 . A locking screw  34  prevents the rotation of the detector  26 . The locking screw  34  also allows for the attachment of the wire  32  to the detector  26 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , an isolator  46  connects the motor  20  to the detector  26 . The isolator  46  is made of any material that insulates electrical interference from the motor  20  to the isolator  46 . The portion of the isolator  14  connected to the motor  20  has a larger diameter than the portion of the isolator  14  connected to the detector  26 . This concentricity allows for an easier transferring movement from the motor  20  to the detector  26  and is easier in manufacturing the probe  2 . To future insulate the motor  20  and to prevent heat to be transferred from the motor  20 , nonconductive heat resistant washers  22  are located between the isolator  14  and the motor  20 . The preferred material of the washer  22  is ceramic. 
         [0030]    The handle  8  comprises a trigger  6 , a fan  16 , and a sound-deadening foam  18 . The fan  16  draws air through the air vent  14  located on the distal end  15  of the head  12 . The air is drawn around the motor  20 , thus cooling the motor  20 . The fan continues to draw air through the handle  8  and discharges the air through the bottom of the handle  8  through the air vents  14 . The sound-deadening foam  18  deadens the noise from the motor  20 . Furthermore, the sound-deadening foam  18  material secures the wires  32  in the handle  8 . The sound-deadening foam may be made from any noise deadening material. Located at the base of the handle  8  is a cord  4 . The cord  4  supplies power to the probe  2  and provide feedback to a device to measure the bioelectrical signals from the probe  2 . 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 , the trigger  6  is located at the top of the handle  8 . The preferred location of the trigger  6  is where the user may use their index or middle finger to press the trigger  6 . When the trigger  6  is activated, this allows for electrical power to flow to the motor  20  and to activate a reading from the probe tip  28 . 
         [0032]    Located at the junction head  12  and handle  8  is a cavity  32 . The cavity  32  allows the wires  32  connected to the detector  26  to move freely when the detector  26  moves. To secure wires  32  from moving in the handle, a wire stay  36  is located at the base of the cavity  32 . 
         [0033]    While a preferred embodiment of the invention of the probe  2  has been shown and described herein, it should, however, be understood that the description above contains many specificities that should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents thereof, rather than by the examples given.