Patent ID: 7463931

Claim:
A system for applying electrical current to an animal having spaced apart first and second surface regions spanning a tissue volume exhibiting biologically-based electrical impedance, comprising: a first electrode assembly positionable for electrical communication at said first said surface region; a second electrode assembly positionable for electrical communication at said second said surface region; an electrical generation assembly electrically coupled with said first and second electrode assemblies, responsive to a generator input to provide an excitation output across said first and second electrode assemblies at frequencies and with waveshapes exhibiting electrical characteristics variable in correspondence with said generator input, such characteristics being selectively inclusive of a predetermined base frequency value and a burst repetition frequency value less than the base frequency value, a predetermined waveform and predetermined application interval; a current sensor assembly responsive to said excitation output for providing a monitored current value output; a voltage sensor assembly responsive to said excitation output for providing a monitored voltage value output; a controller having an input, a memory and a display, responsive to values of voltage, current and frequency provided at said input to derive a corresponding said generator input, responsive to a feed point impedance value provided at said input, to said monitored current value output and to said monitored voltage value output for deriving an impedance fault signal when said monitored current value output and said monitored voltage value output represent an impedance not corresponding with said feed point impedance value, responsive to said impedance fault signal to terminate said generator input and to provide perceptible fault information at said display, responsive to said monitored voltage value output and to said monitored current value output to derive digital form data corresponding with said electrical characteristics and responsive to retain said digital form data in said memory.