Apparatus for stimulating living tissue

Abstract

Electrodes for stimulating living tissue such as penile, scrotal, anal, vaginal and clitoral tissue are shown. The electrodes are formed from elastomeric material. Electrical stimulation to such areas is intended to control incontinence, to induce penile erection, or to induce excitation and orgasm. Three embodiments of a tube electrode formed from elastomeric material, have a nonconductive base, and a conductive tube weaving through holes in the base. Two have single adjustable loops and are for use around penile or scrotal tissue, and against anal tissue. The third comprises two loops, one to wrap each testicle against scrotal tissue.

1. An electrode apparatus comprising:
 a base having at least first and second sides and first and second holes running from said first side to said second side;  
 a tube electrode disposed through said base wherein: 
 a first section of said tube electrode extends from the first side of said base plate  from said first hole;  
 a second section of said tube electrode extends from the second side of said base plate  from said first hole and to said second side of said base to said second hole forming a loop; and  
 a third section of said tube electrode extends from the first side of said base plate  from said second hole.  
 
 
     
     
       2. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tube electrode is conductive of electrical current. 
     
     
       3. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base is substantially non-conductive of electrical current. 
     
     
       4. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  wherein first section of said tube electrode is fixed to said base, and the length of said loop and said third section of said tube electrode are inversely adjustable relative said base. 
     
     
       5. The electrode apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said third section of said tube electrode carries an O-ring;
 wherein said O-ring can be adjusted against said base thereby preventing the lengthening of said loop.  
 
     
     
       6. The electrode apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a substantially non-conductive cover over said first section of said tube electrode. 
     
     
       7. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the length of said first and said third section of said tube electrode are inversely adjustable in length relative said base, and the length of said loop and said first and third sections of said tube electrode is inversely adjustable relative said base. 
     
     
       8. The electrode apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said first and third sections of said tube electrode each carry an O-ring;
 wherein said O-rings can be adjusted against said base thereby preventing the lengthening of said loop.  
 
     
     
       9. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base is a plate. 
     
     
       10. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base is a block of material forming a wedge. 
     
     
       11. The electrode apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an electrical contact that plugs directly into one end of said tube. 
     
     
       12. The electrode of  claim 1  wherein said loop is a first loop and said base further comprises a third hole and said first section of said tube electrode connects with said base into said third hole;
 wherein said first section of said tube electrode forms a second loop on the first side of said base.  
 
     
     
       13. The electrode of  claim 12  wherein said third hole is in an end of said base and said first section of said tube electrode connects with said base within said third hole. 
     
     
       14. The electrode of  claim 12  wherein the length of said first loop and said third section of said tube electrode are inversely adjustable relative said base. 
     
     
       15. The electrode apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said third section of said tube electrode carries an O-ring;
 wherein said O-ring can be adjusted against said base thereby preventing the lengthening of said first loop.  
 
     
     
       16. The electrode apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the length of said first loop and said second loop are inversely adjustable relative said base. 
     
     
       17. An electrode apparatus comprising:
 a base having at least first and second sides and first and second holes running from said first side to said second side;  
 a tube electrode disposed through said base wherein: 
 a first section of said tube electrode is disposed within said base plate  in said first hole;  
 a second section of said tube electrode extends from the second side of said base plate  from said first hole and to said second side of said base to said second hole forming a loop; and  
 a third section of said tube electrode extends from the first side of said base plate  from said second hole.