Compact muscle stimulator

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are provided herein providing electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). In some instances, an EMS device may be provided. The EMS device may be compact, light, and unobtrusive such that it can be used by a person going about his or her daily activities. In some instances, the EMS device may comprise additional sensors for increased functionality and may be capable of interacting with additional devices or platforms to provide a full-fledged EMS device capability.

1 . A system for muscle stimulation, the system comprising:
 a computing device associated with a controlling user; and   a plurality sets of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) devices, wherein each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices is associated with a respective end user and a respective location, and wherein the plurality sets of EMS devices is in communication with the computing device and each of which includes at least one EMS device,   wherein each EMS device of the at least one EMS device includes:
 a central body comprising:
 a processing unit configured to execute one or more stimulation programs; and 
 a pulse generator operatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate electrical pulses in response to the one or more stimulation programs; and 
 
 one or more pads in communication with the central body, wherein the one or more pads are configured to be attached to the respective end user and transmit the electrical pulses to stimulate the respective end user in accordance with the one or more stimulation programs, 
   wherein the plurality sets of EMS devices is configured to receive and implement the one or more stimulation programs, and   wherein the one or more stimulation programs include a plurality of predetermined stimulation programs and a tailored stimulation program which is based on respective user information and different from the plurality of predetermined stimulation programs.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is configured to authenticate whether the controlling user satisfies an authentication requirement, wherein the authentication requirement identifies an authorized healthcare professional or an authorized service provider. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computing device comprises a mobile device configured to communicate with each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices in implementing the one or more stimulation programs. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the computing device is configured to communicate with each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices independent from each other. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the computing device is configured to provide a first stimulation program to and collect data from a first set of EMS devices among the plurality sets of EMS devices located at a first location. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the computing device is, after communication with the first set of EMS devices, configured to provide a second stimulation program to and collect data from a second set of EMS devices among the plurality sets of EMS devices located at a second location which is different from the first location. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first set of EMS devices and the second set of EMS devices are configured to communicate with each other. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is configured to plan, manage, and track the one or more stimulation programs for each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices via a central server. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more stimulation programs in each EMS device differ in at least one of a stimulation frequency, pulse width, duty cycle parameters, ramp up and down values, burst pulse parameters, waveform shape, or interphase interval. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more stimulation programs in each EMS device comprises at least one of a drop foot assistance program, rehabilitation program, recovery program, relaxation program, or improved performance program. 
     
     
         11 . A system for providing electrical stimulation, the system comprising:
 a computing device associated with a controlling user; and   a plurality sets of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) devices, wherein each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices is associated with a respective end user and a respective location, and wherein the plurality sets of EMS devices is in communication with the computing device and includes one or more EMS devices,   wherein each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices includes:   a first central body comprising:   a processing unit configured to execute a stimulation program; and   a pulse generator operatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate first electrical pulses in response to the stimulation program; and   a second central body substantially similar to the first central body, wherein the second central body is configured to receive a broadcast command over the communication channel and generate second electrical pulses in response thereto; and   one or more pads in communication with the first central body or the second central body, wherein the one or more pads are configured to be attached to the respective end user and transmit corresponding electrical pulses to stimulate the respective end user in accordance with the stimulation program,   wherein the plurality sets of EMS devices is configured to receive and implement the stimulation program, and   wherein the stimulation program includes a plurality of predetermined stimulation programs and a tailored stimulation program which is based on respective user information and different from the plurality of predetermined stimulation programs.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is configured to authenticate whether the controlling user satisfies an authentication requirement, wherein the authentication requirement includes an authorized healthcare professional or an authorized service provider, and
 wherein the computing device comprises a mobile device configured to communicate with each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices in implementing the stimulation program.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the computing device is configured to communicate with each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices independent from each other. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computing device is configured to provide a first stimulation program to and collect data from a first set of EMS devices among the plurality sets of EMS devices located at a first location. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the computing device is, after communication with the first set of EMS devices, configured to provide a second stimulation program to and collect data from a second set of EMS devices among the plurality sets of EMS devices located at a second location which is different from the first location. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first set of EMS devices and the second set of EMS devices are configured to communicate with each other. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is configured to plan, manage, and track the stimulation program for each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices via a central server. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the stimulation program in each EMS device differs in at least one of a stimulation frequency, pulse width, duty cycle parameters, ramp up and down values, burst pulse parameters, waveform shape, or interphase interval. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the stimulation program in each EMS device comprises at least one of a drop foot assistance program, rehabilitation program, recovery program, relaxation program, or improved performance program. 
     
     
         20 . A method for providing electrical stimulation, the method comprising:
 placing a plurality sets of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) devices on respective end users at respective locations, wherein each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices includes at least one EMS device and wherein each of the at least one EMS device comprises:   a central body comprising:   a processing unit configured to execute one or more stimulation programs, wherein the one or more stimulation programs include a plurality of predetermined stimulation programs and a tailored stimulation program which is based on respective user information and different from the plurality of predetermined stimulation programs; and   a pulse generator operatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate electrical pulses in response to the one or more stimulation programs; and   one or more pads in communication with the central body or one or more other bodies substantially similar to the central body, wherein the one or more pads are configured to be attached to the respective end user and transmit the electrical pulses to stimulate the respective end user in accordance with the one or more stimulation programs;   presenting, to a computing device of a controlling user, the tailored stimulation program and the plurality of predetermined stimulation programs for selection; and   executing a selected program among the tailored stimulation program and the plurality of predetermined stimulation programs of the each set of the plurality sets of EMS devices.