A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) and electrode pad that is capable simultaneously of delivering hot or cold thermal therapy for the relief of pain.
US2007197853
Spinal disc therapy systems in accordance with the present invention generally include an implant element structured to have a therapeutic effect on a human or animal body when implanted into an intervertebral disc annulus or intervertebral disc nucleus. The implant element may include a biochemically active agent that provides pain relief, inflammation relief or other benefit to the human or animal body. The implant element may be mechanically active or mechanically activatable in being effective in providing a therapeutic effect to the human or animal body when implanted in the intervertebral disc. For example, the implant element may include a mechanically active or mechanically activatable component that radiates wave energy, for example, in the form of electrical or magnetic energy, into the body.
US2006190057
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device for treating a user's lower back pain or discomfort is provided. The inventive device comprises a stimulation pad with an array of electrodes therein. A controller communicates with the electrodes to energize/de-energize them in a patterned, sequential manner. The patterned actuation of the electrodes in a sequential fashion provides electrical impulses to the patient's skin, simulating a transverse wave motion. The transverse wave motion simulation provides the user with the effect of the electrical stimulation combined with the mechanical tissue stimulation received in traditional massage therapy, resulting in improved pain and discomfort relief. The device may use programs stored in the controller. Alternatively, the user may manually actuate one or more electrodes as well as manually move the electrode actuation to concentrate on a specific lower back region using an electrostatic touch pad or the equivalent. The user may also use voice commands to access the stored programs, move the electrode stimulation region, change the electrode actuation intensity and/or dwell time. The device may store the user's manually-generated routines for repeating when desired. A visual display may provide feedback to the user regarding the electrode actuation position and pattern.
US2006122127
Compositions, and methods of use thereof, are provided for the prevention or treatment of side effects associated with the use of drugs that act as 5HT2/5HT3 serotonin receptor antagonists and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonists (5HT2/5HT3 antagonist/alpha-2 antagonist). The method involves using dopamine-releasing compounds, such as amantadine, anticonvulsants, such as zonisamide, or dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as bupropion, in combination with 5HT2/5HT3 antagonist/alpha-2 antagonists, such as mirtazapine, to reduce the excessive daytime drowsiness and/or weight gain associated with 5HT2/5HT3 antagonist/alpha-2 antagonist use for the treatment of disorders, such as, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, sleep-related breathing disorders, insomnia, migraine headache, chronic tension-type headache, hot flashes, lower back pain, neuropathic pain and functional somatic syndromes. Formulations of dopamine-releasing compounds or anticonvulsants with 5HT2/5HT3 antagonist/alpha-2 antagonists are provided. In particular embodiments, combination therapy with mirtazapine and zonisamide provides relief from chronic low back pain, while reducing or avoiding side effects associated with monotherapy with mirtazapine or zonisamide.