Patent ID: 8500652

Claim:
A hand-held tissue stimulation system comprising: a housing, a stimulation control device comprising stimulation signal generating circuitry for generation of an electrical stimulation signal having an amplitude and a duration, a microcontroller electrically coupled to the stimulation signal generating circuitry, and a source of power for the stimulation control device, a probe configured for contact with a targeted tissue region, the probe extending from the housing and having an electrically conductive surface coupled to the signal generating circuitry, a return electrode electrically coupled to the signal generating circuitry and being configured to provide an electrical flow path for the stimulation signal from the probe back to the stimulation control device, a first control device carried on the housing and electrically coupled to the microcontroller, the first control device being movable by a user from a first position to a second position for providing a power control input to the microcontroller to turn the stimulation signal generating circuitry on, and a visual indicator carried on the housing and being electrically coupled to the microcontroller for confirming status conditions during a single use period, and including visual indications that vary according to different status conditions, the microcontroller configured to cause the visual indicator to display: (i) a first predetermined color and/or flash rate of light confirming, independent of contact between the probe and the targeted tissue region, that power to the stimulation signal generating circuitry is on due to operation of the first control device, (ii) a second predetermined color and/or flash rate of light different than the first predetermined color and/or flash rate of light confirming, when there is contact between the probe and the targeted tissue region, the delivery of the stimulation signal to the targeted tissue region through the probe and back to the stimulation control device through the return electrode and (iii) a third predetermined color and/or flash rate of light different than the first predetermined color and/or flash rate of light and the second predetermined color and/or flash rate of light indicating, when there is contact between the probe and the targeted tissue region, an absence of delivery of the stimulation signal back to the stimulation control device through the return electrode despite operation of the first control device.