Digital-to-Analog (DAC) circuitry for an implantable pulse generator is disclosed which is used to program currents at the electrodes. Calibration circuitry allows the positive and negative currents produced at each electrode to be independently calibrated to achieve an ideal (linear) response across a range of amplitude values provided to the DAC circuitry by a digital amplitude bus. The calibration circuitry includes electrode gain and electrode offset circuitry for each of the electrodes. Current range DAC circuitry is also provided which can be used to adjust the gain and offset current at all of the electrodes. The current range DAC circuitry is particularly useful when spanning a range of therapeutic currents for a patient, and allows all possible amplitude values provided by the digital bus to be used to span the range. This can improve (reduce) the current resolution of the electrode currents with each amplitude value step.

A device for relieving pains and spasms by applying electrical pulses which makes it possible to render the electrical pulses easier to tolerate by limiting or preventing the painful or untimely discharges which hamper the use of the relief device. The relief device delivers electrical pulses only when it bears or rolls in a back-and-forth movement on the skin or clothing of a user. The relief device comprises means for limiting the maximum voltage delivered to the user, one or more means of triggering the pulses delivered by the electrodes, an activation delayer and a system for progressively launching the potential delivered by the electrodes.

A device for relieving pains and spasms by applying electrical pulses which makes it possible to render the electrical pulses easier to tolerate by limiting or preventing the painful or untimely discharges which hamper the use of the relief device. The relief device delivers electrical pulses only when it bears or rolls in a back-and-forth movement on the skin or clothing of a user. The relief device comprises means for limiting the maximum voltage delivered to the user, one or more means of triggering the pulses delivered by the electrodes, an activation delayer and a system for progressively launching the potential delivered by the electrodes.

A method of electro-therapeutic stimulation is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of attaching electrodes to a practitioner and a patient, physically contacting the patient's body with the practitioner's body, and transmitting electrical current to the patient's body through the practitioner's body. This method of treatment for soft tissue injuries and disorders enables the practitioner to integrate electrical muscle stimulation with any form of soft tissue or manual therapy, stretching, or movement.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protecting a biological system from molecular damage due to electrostatic discharge. The apparatus, system, and method include an electrical contact point, a resistive element, and a connection point. The electrical contact point is positioned to facilitate electrical communication with the biological system. The resistive element is coupled to the electrical contact point. The resistive element has an electrical resistive value tuned to drain electrostatic charge from the biological system based on a contact time of the electrical contact point with the biological system. The connection point is coupled to the resistive element to create an electrical potential difference across the resistive element in response to the contact of the electrical contact point with the biological system.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protecting a biological system from molecular damage due to electrostatic discharge. The apparatus, system, and method include an electrical contact point, a resistive element, and a connection point. The electrical contact point is positioned to facilitate electrical communication with the biological system. The resistive element is coupled to the electrical contact point. The resistive element has an electrical resistive value tuned to drain electrostatic charge from the biological system based on a contact time of the electrical contact point with the biological system. The connection point is coupled to the resistive element to create an electrical potential difference across the resistive element in response to the contact of the electrical contact point with the biological system.

An ESD grounding apparatus for grounding mats or other equipment to provide a ground connection to mat as well as receptacles for operator wrist straps, and other equipment. The apparatus attaches to a mat by means of securing member such as a clamp or compressing screw rather than using destructive rivets or snaps that create holes in the mat. By using a securing member to secure the device to the mat, the device can be easily removed and reused in another location without damaging or weakening the mat, whereas the previous devices require installing an additional snap into the mat in each location that requires a ground.

An ESD grounding apparatus for grounding mats or other equipment to provide a ground connection to mat as well as receptacles for operator wrist straps, and other equipment. The apparatus attaches to a mat by means of securing member such as a clamp or compressing screw rather than using destructive rivets or snaps that create holes in the mat. By using a securing member to secure the device to the mat, the device can be easily removed and reused in another location without damaging or weakening the mat, whereas the previous devices require installing an additional snap into the mat in each location that requires a ground.

A system and method for preventing the undesirable dissipation of charge throughout a tissue surface while maintaining the charge density at a desired tissue treatment site. The invention embodies a physical perimeter conductor positioned in proximity to a tissue surface and a conductance control circuit working in combination to collect surface charge applied within the confines of the perimeter conductor and to maintain a desired relationship between the contained surface charge density and time.

An arrangement is disclosed including a patient support apparatus with a support plate and an overlay for the support plate. In an embodiment, the support plate or overlay includes an electrically conductive first layer. The first layer is connected and/or connectable to a contact-making apparatus via a first electric transmission path. The contact-making apparatus is connected and/or connectable to a ground or mass via a second electric transmission path. And, in an operating mode of the arrangement in which a patient is supported on the patient support apparatus, the first layer is connected and/or connectable to the patient via a third electric transmission path.