Electrical Current Stimulator Apparatus
Patent No. US12042652 (titled "Electrical Current Stimulator Apparatus") was filed by Ziip Inc on Mar 1, 2021.
What is this patent about?
’652 is related to the field of topical treatments, specifically electrical current stimulation devices. The background involves the increasing popularity of using weak electrical currents, typically microcurrents, for skin rejuvenation, muscle stimulation, pain management, and accelerating recovery. These devices, such as MENS and TENS, deliver electrical currents through the body via electrodes.
The underlying idea behind ’652 is to provide a portable, user-friendly device that delivers controlled electrical stimulation to the skin for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes. The key inventive insight is the combination of programmable current waveforms, delivered through convex curved electrodes for smooth skin contact, with a notification system (vibration, light, or sound) to guide the user to move the device to different treatment areas.
The claims of ’652 focus on a method and apparatus for electrical current treatment of skin. The independent claims cover delivering a controlled electric current (less than 1mA) with a specific waveform to the skin via two substantially identical convex curved electrodes. A processor receives programmable instructions from an external device to control the current and a notification to prompt the user to move the device to another area of the skin.
In practice, the user powers on the device, places the convex electrodes against their skin, and the device begins delivering the programmed electrical stimulation. The processor controls the waveform of the current, which can be a square, sine, triangle, or other wave, and can include a DC offset. The device vibrates, emits light, or outputs a sound to signal the user to move the device to a new area, ensuring even treatment.
This approach differs from prior art by providing a more controlled and guided treatment. The programmable waveforms allow for customized treatment protocols, while the notification system ensures that the user applies the stimulation evenly across the target area. The convex curved electrodes are designed for smooth movement and consistent contact with the skin, enhancing the user experience and potentially improving treatment efficacy compared to devices with fixed electrodes or less sophisticated control systems.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’652 was filed, electrical stimulation devices for topical treatment were at a time when such systems commonly relied on microcurrent or TENS methodologies. At that time, controlling electrical current waveforms and integrating them with other functionalities like vibration and light emission was typically implemented using embedded processors. Programmable instructions for controlling these devices were often delivered via wired connections or simple interfaces, when wireless communication was becoming more prevalent but hardware or software constraints made complex control schemes non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims were rejected in a non-final office action. Claims 1-20 were pending, and claims 1-4, 6-18, and 19-20 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103. Claim 16 was also rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112. Arguments were presented by the applicant. The prosecution record does describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent includes 21 claims, with independent claims numbered 1 and 19. The independent claims are directed to a method and apparatus for providing electrical current treatment to skin using electrodes with specific shapes, controlled by programmable instructions. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the features of the independent claims, such as the type of notification, the method of receiving instructions, and specific waveform characteristics.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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US12042652
- Application Number
- US17188598
- Filing Date
- Mar 1, 2021
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Feb 9, 2036
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents