Methods, systems, and devices for reducing or eliminating pain resulting from piercing a patient's skin

Abstract

The various embodiments described herein relate to an electrode with one or more conductive surfaces and one or more access windows allowing needles, lancets and other similar objects to pass through or near the electrode and into the underlying skin layer. The mild electrical stimulation acts to mask the pain signals caused when sharp objects penetrate the skin. The stimulation is delivered by an attachable electrical unit designed to generate both the electrical and, in some embodiments, vibration stimuli while connected to the electrode. Certain embodiments relate to an electrode with one or more electrically isolated conductive surfaces coupled to a electrical and, in some embodiments, a vibration generating unit.

1 . A method for providing topical analgesia during a procedure, the method comprising:
 contacting an electrode to a patient's skin, the electrode having one or more conductive surfaces and at least one access point defined in the electrode, the at least one access point configured to allow objects to pass through the at least one access point and into the patient's skin;   coupling a reusable module to the electrode such that the reusable module is removable from the electrode;   measuring, with the electrode, at least one physiological variable of the patient's skin and transmitting measurements relating to the at least one physiological variable to a controller in the module; and   generating, with the module, electrical energy based on the measurements relating to the at least one physiological variable and transmitting the electrical energy through the electrode to the patient's skin to provide an analgesic effect.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating, with the module, vibration to create a vibration stimuli through the electrode to the patient's skin to provide an additional analgesic effect. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises:
 at least one electrically conductive layer for conducting the electrical stimuli from the module;   at least one electrically conductive adhesive layer, for adhering the electrically conductive layer to the patient's skin; and   at least one electrically insulating layer, covering at least a portion of the electrically conductive layer.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the module to the electrode further comprises the step of attaching the module to the electrode using one or more of ferromagnetic/electrically conductive discs, conductive buttons, conductive leads, conductive tabs, conductive hooks, conductive snaps, conductive adhesive, and hook and loop fastener to allow transmission of electrical energy. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the module from the electrode and disposing of the electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 inputting a control signal to the module to control the intensity and duration of the electrical stimuli and vibration; and   controlling intensity and duration of the electrical stimuli and vibration using the controller in the module.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising initially ramping up the electrical stimuli using the controller, to avoid surprising the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising automatically generating, using the module, electrical energy when connected to the electrode and automatically discontinuing generation of electrical energy when not in use. 
     
     
         9 . A system for providing topical analgesia during a procedure, the system comprising:
 (a) an electrode configured to be contacted to a patient's skin, the electrode having one or more conductive surfaces and at least one access point defined within the electrode, the at least one access point configured to allow at least one object to pass through the at least one access point and into the patient's skin, wherein the electrode is configured to measure at least one physiological variable of the patient's skin; and   (b) a module removably coupleable to the electrode, the module configured to:
 receive from the electrode measurements relating to the at least one physiological variable; and 
 (ii) generate electrical energy based on the measurements in order to deliver an electrical stimuli through the electrode and to the patient's skin to provide an analgesic effect, 
   wherein the electrical stimuli act to mask pain signals caused when the at least one object penetrate the patient's skin.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the module is further configured to generate vibration to deliver a vibration stimuli through the electrode to the patient's skin to provide an additional analgesic effect. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the electrode comprises:
 (a) at least one electrically conductive layer configured to conduct the electrical stimuli from the module;   (b) at least one electrically conductive adhesive layer configured to adhere the electrically conductive layer to the patient's skin; and   (c) at least one electrically insulating layer configured to cover at least a portion of the electrically conductive layer.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a coupling component configured to removably couple the module to the electrode, the coupling component comprising one or more of ferromagnetic/electrically conductive discs, conductive buttons, conductive leads, conductive tabs, conductive hooks, conductive snaps, conductive adhesive, or hook and loop fastener to allow transmission of electrical energy. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the module comprises:
 a controller configured to control intensity, timing, and duration of the electrical stimuli; and   an input component configured to allow for inputting a control signal to control the intensity, timing, and duration of the electrical stimuli.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to initially ramp up the electrical stimuli to avoid surprising the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically actuate the module to generate electrical energy when connected to the electrode and automatically actuates the module to discontinue generation of electrical energy when not in use.