A device, which is preferably disc shaped, has two primary layers. A first layer
has one side, which is the lower side in use, for adhering to a patient's skin
surface, a second, upper layer on the underside of which electrical circuitry is
printed or affixed so that the electrical circuitry is sandwiched between the layers.
The device can be made in several sizes to accommodate patient size and location
of the acupuncture point to be stimulated. Two distinct forms of the device are
presented: a single use and a reusable device for. In the single use device, the
first, lower layer is preferably a foam with non-conductive adhesive on both sides:
the bottom side for adhering to the skin and the top side for adhering to the upper
polyester disc. The holes through this lower foam layer include, preferably, eight
holes spaced concentrically about one central hole in the middle of the lower foam
layer. All these holes are, preferably, overfilled with an electrically conductive
gel that projects from the lower foam layer. The conductive circuitry preferably
printed on the underside of the upper layer provides a series connection to the
gel in each of the eight concentric holes and a separate connection to the gel
in the center hole when the upper layer is adhered to the lower layer. The printed
circuitry may be a silver/silver chloride polymer film, also provides for a tab(s)
which can be permanently or temporarily affixed to an integral or remote simulator
through direct contact or wire leads. In the reusable device a pressure-sensitive
adhesive material forms the lower layer which allows for multiple applications
to a patient's skin. The adhesive lower layer is transparent to show the circular
central electrode the annular electrode. The electrodes are preferably silver/silver
chloride polymer film. In either configuration, metal core insulated leads can
be use for electrical connection with the opposite ends of the leads connected
to jacks for connection to an impulse stimulator or can end in electrically conductive tabs.