Method and apparatus for noninvasive inhibition of deep vein thrombosis

Abstract

System, device and method for providing neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to muscles of foot. The device includes an electrical signal generator for producing a wave pattern of variable frequency, duration, intensity, ramp time and on-off cycle. The device further includes surface electrodes for being positioned over the foot muscles or around ankles and attached to the signal generator. The device includes a wearable device for positioning a first electrode adjacent a heel of the wearer's foot and a second electrode adjacent an arch of the foot. The signal generator is programmed to stimulate the foot muscles and nerves. Location of the electrodes and the programming are adjusted to reduce pooling of the blood in the soleal veins of the calf and enhance venous blood flow to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT); to enhance venous blood flow for the post-thrombotic syndrome patient; to expedite wound healing; to reduce neuropathic pain of the foot and ankle, chronic musculoskeletal pain of the ankle and foot, and acute post-operative foot and ankle pain; and to prevent muscular atrophy of the foot muscles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable device for positioning a first electrode adjacent a heel of a wearer's foot and a second electrode adjacent an arch of the foot, comprising:
 a flexible support comprising:   a bottom portion configured to extend along a least a portion of the bottom of the foot, posteriorly from an arch, and around the heel;   an ankle portion of the support configured to extend upwardly along the back of the wearer's foot from the heel;   a foot strap carried by the support, configured to secure the bottom portion to the bottom of the foot;   an ankle strap carried by the support, configured to secure the ankle portion to the wearer's ankle;   a heel electrode carried by the bottom portion; and   an arch electrode carried by the bottom portion.   
     
     
         2 . A wearable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion comprises a central longitudinal axis, and at least a portion of each of the heel electrode and arch electrode resides on both sides of the axis. 
     
     
         3 . A wearable device as in  claim 2 , wherein each of the heel electrode and arch electrode has a geometric center and the geometric centers are within 0.5 inches of the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . A wearable device as in  claim 2 , wherein the arch electrode has a surface area of at least about 150% of the surface area of the heel electrode. 
     
     
         5 . A wearable device as in  claim 2 , wherein each of the heel electrode and arch electrode has a geometric center and the geometric centers are spaced apart along the axis by a distance within the range of from about 3 inches to about 5 inches. 
     
     
         6 . A wearable device as in  claim 5 , wherein the geometric centers are spaced apart along the axis by a distance within the range of from about 3.5 inches to about 4.5 inches. 
     
     
         7 . A wearable device as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the heel electrode and arch electrode further comprise a releasable electrically conductive pad. 
     
     
         8 . A wearable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a first surface for contacting the wearer and a second, opposing surface, and further comprising at least two electrical connectors on the second surface. 
     
     
         9 . A wearable device as in  claim 8 , wherein the electrical connectors comprise mechanical connectors for both mechanically and electrically connecting to a removable control housing. 
     
     
         10 . A wearable device as in  claim 9 , wherein the electrical connectors are carried by the ankle portion of the support. 
     
     
         11 . A wearable device as in  claim 2 , wherein the arch electrode has a surface area of at least about 150% of the surface area of the heel electrode. 
     
     
         12 . A wearable device as in  claim 2 , wherein each of the heel electrode and arch electrode intersects the axis. 
     
     
         13 . A wearable device as in  claim 2 , wherein each of the heel electrode and arch electrode has a transverse axis, extending at a normal angle to the longitudinal axis, and the arch transverse axis is at least about 150% the length of the heel transverse axis. 
     
     
         14 . A wearable device as in  claim 13 , wherein arch transverse axis is at least about 180% the length of the heel transverse axis. 
     
     
         15 . A wearable device as in  claim 13 , wherein the heel transverse axis is within the range of from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches in length. 
     
     
         16 . A wearable device as in  claim 13 , wherein the arch transverse axis is within the range of from about 3 inches to about 5 inches in length. 
     
     
         17 . A wearable device as in  claim 9 , further comprising a control carried by the electrical connectors.