ADAPTIVE HUMAN ELECTRO-MUSCULAR INCAPACITATION (HEMI) SYSTEM

Abstract

Apparatus and method for adaptive muscular tetanization (incapacitation) of a human target. An electrical pulse generator outputs a sequence of time-varying electrical pulses. A delivery mechanism applies the electrical pulses to the target using conductive electrodes. A sensor detects a biometric state of the target. An adaptive adjustment circuit adjusts the electrical pulses from the electrical pulse generator responsive to the detected biometric state to maintain a desired level of applied tetanization energy to the target. The system can be a self-contained projectile, a stun-gun arrangement with conductive wires or wireless communication capabilities, a stun baton, etc. An in-line charge limiter circuit can be used to integrate the applied current and modulate the total amount of charge applied. The biometric state can be a target property or response including impedance, muscular pressure, contraction force, contraction rate, blood flow rate, etc.

Description

BACKGROUND

A variety of so-called “non-lethal” weapons have been proposed in the art to enable subjugation or incapacitation of a target individual in a manner that reduces a likelihood of serious injury or death to that individual. Such weapons are sometimes more accurately referred to as “less-lethal” weapons, since some risk of injury or death remains possible during use. Examples of less-lethal weapons include blunt force projectiles, chemical agents, long range acoustic device (LRAD) projectors, light emitters, muscular tetanization systems, etc.

With regard to the latter, muscular tetanization systems generally operate by applying a modulated electrical current to the human target. The current is applied as a sequence of pulses designed to induce tetanization, that is, involuntary muscular contraction, which serves to temporarily immobilize the target. The electrical current can be delivered in a number of ways.

One approach falls into a class sometimes referred to as a “stun gun,” in which a hand-held unit fires electrodes with tangs or other features that penetrate the target's clothing and/or skin. Elongated conductive wires extend from the electrodes back to the hand-held unit to allow the currents to be delivered from a power supply to the target.

Other electrical current delivery systems include the use of fluidic streams, ionized air, direct contact (e.g., a stun baton), or self-contained systems in which the tetanization mechanism is located within a long range projectile that is fired by a weapon and which impacts and tetanizes the target locally.

Some tetanization systems deliver a first set of pulses having a relatively higher applied voltage or current level during an acquisition mode, and then transition to a second set of pulses having a relatively lower applied voltage or current level during an active tetanization mode. The initial pulses may be delivered at the higher voltage or current to penetrate the target's clothing and skin to establish the initial tetanizing current, and the lower level pulses are subsequently applied to maintain the target in an involuntary muscular contractive state. The applied pulses are sometimes referred to as a pulse profile or waveform.

A limitation with these and other types of tetanization systems is that the electrical characteristics of a human body can vary widely from one individual to the next. Such variations can depend on a number of factors including age, mass, fitness level, intoxication level, electrolyte level, nerve density, among others. It has been found that a standard pulse profile configured for an “average” target can often be ineffective a significant amount of the time, since the standard pulse profile may deliver too severe an energy level to some targets, and insufficient energy to other targets.

Some tetanization systems have user controllable inputs on the hand-held unit, such as a setting switch, to enable the user to adjust the amount of energy delivered to the target. In practice, it can be difficult and potentially dangerous for the user to make such adjustments during a high stress altercation.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to an apparatus and method for providing controlled, adaptive muscular tetanization of a human target.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided with an electrical pulse generator configured to generate a sequence of time-varying electrical pulses. A delivery mechanism applies the electrical pulses to a body of a human target. A sensor is used to detect a biometric state of the body of the human target, and an adaptive adjustment circuit adjusts the electrical pulses from the electrical pulse generator responsive to the detected biometric state to maintain a desired level of applied tetanization energy to the body of the human target.

In further embodiments, a method is provided which carries out steps including using a delivery mechanism to apply a sequence of time-varying electrical pulses to a body of a human target, the electrical pulses generated by an electrical pulse generator; detecting a biometric state of the body of the human target responsive to the applied electrical pulses; and adaptively adjusting the electrical pulses from the electrical pulse generator responsive to the detected biometric state to maintain a desired level of applied tetanization energy to the body of the human target.

These and other features and advantages of various embodiments can be understood with a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block representation of an adaptive human electro-muscular incapacitation (HEMI) system that carries out controlled tetanization of a human target in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a functional block representation of another adaptive HEMI system similar to the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate different communication pathways that can be utilized in various embodiments to transmit and receive sensor data from a sensor such as in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of tetanization and sensor waveforms (profiles) that may be generated and processed by various embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts another adaptive HEMI system in the form of a stun-gun based configuration in some embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts yet another adaptive HEMI system in the form of a self-contained projectile configuration in further embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows another adaptive HEMI system in accordance with further embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows another adaptive HEMI system in accordance with further embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a set of pulse curves that can be generated by the system of FIG. 8 in some embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows another adaptive HEMI system in accordance with further embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a sequence flow diagram to illustrate operation of the adaptive HEMI systems described herein in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows another HEMI system delivered using an unmanned system (UxS) in accordance with further embodiments.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for adaptively adjusting the application of tetanization energy to a target based on a sensed biometric state of the target.

As explained below, some embodiments provide an adaptive HEMI system that uses one or more sensors to controllably sense the biometric state of the target. The sensor(s) may have sensing elements that are brought into proximity to and/or contact with the body of the target in order to sense the biometric state. Adjustments are made to an applied tetanization pulse profile as required based on the sensed biometric state.

While not limiting, the sensed biometric state may be a sensed electrical property of the target or a sensed physiological response of the target. A sensed property may be a measured body impedance, an observed voltage or current drop profile across the target body, or some other steady-state property or characteristic of the target. A sensed response may be a measured intramuscular pressure, a muscular contraction force, an intramuscular electromagnetic field characteristic, a blood flow rate, a surface skin tension, frequency and/or amplitude of muscular response, or any other parameter or group of parameters that reflects the response by the target to the application of the tetanization energy.

A variety of adaptive HEMI system configurations are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a stun-gun configuration is used in which a hand-held unit includes a firing mechanism to launch electrodes with trailing conductive wires to the target. A power generator in the hand-held unit delivers tetanization pulses via the electrodes and wires to the target. A sensor can be additionally fired with its own set of conductive wires, electrodes, etc. to obtain sensor readings from the target resulting from the application of the pulses. The sensor may be incorporated into one or more of the electrodes, or may be located within the hand-held unit. An adaptive control circuit, such as in the hand-held unit, uses the sensor readings to adjust the next set of applied pulses.

Other configurations provide a self-contained projectile which may be fired from a conventional weapon such as a shot gun. The self-contained projectile can include a waveform generator, electrodes, sensor(s) and adjustment circuitry. Still other configurations can include a baton or stun-stick configuration where the user contacts the target directly to deliver the adaptively modulated tetanization energy.

Further embodiments provide an additional capability of performing an integration function, such as via an adaptive in-line charge limiting circuit, to measure a total amount of charge that has been delivered to the body of the target based on an existing waveform that is being applied to the target. In this way, the applied waveform can be further adjusted, such as by extending or shortening the duration of each pulse, to deliver the appropriate amount of charge to the target to achieve and maintain the desired tetanization state.

The use of an adaptive in-line charge limiting circuit provides an additional level of adaptive sensing and control to enhance the tetanization capabilities of the system. Some embodiments use one or more sensors to adaptively establish a suitable waveform profile based on a sensed target response from the sensor(s), and then further adjust the waveform profile using the charge monitoring operation of the adaptive charge limiting circuit. For example, the sensor feedback can be used to establish a suitable magnitude of the applied pulses, and the integration function can be used to adjust the durations of the respective pulses. Other configurations can be used.

While both direct sensor-based and indirect charge integration techniques are contemplated, this is not necessarily required. In still further embodiments, systems and applications are envisioned that are just sensor-based or just in-line charge monitoring based. Yet further embodiments may include both sensor and charge monitoring based capabilities, and the operation of either or both modes of adaptation may be user selectable or automatically deployed by a control circuit based on the particular operational environment.

The requisite power supply and other electronic power requirements of the system can be provided within the pulse generator circuitry. Substantially any number of different parameters can be measured and used to determine the biometric state of the target and adaptively adjust the tetanization profile.

These and other features and advantages of various embodiments can be understood beginning with a review of FIG. 1 which provides a functional block representation of an adaptive HEMI system 100 in some configurations. The system 100 includes a weapon 102 and a projectile (payload) 104, which cooperate to incapacitate a human target 106 via muscular tetanization in accordance with the principles and embodiments set forth by the present disclosure.

The weapon 102 can be any number of different types of firing units such as a conventional firearm, a specially configured gun or other payload delivery device, a hand-held baton, etc. The weapon 102 may use a trigger or some other mechanism to launch or otherwise deliver the projectile 104 to the target 106. The projectile 104 can be any number of different types of delivery systems including wired electrodes, a self-contained less-lethal munition, an activation element at an end of a baton, or some other configuration. These and other alternatives are discussed more fully below.

FIG. 2 shows an adaptive HEMI system 110 that corresponds to the system 100 in FIG. 1 in some embodiments. While not limiting, the embodiment of FIG. 2 takes a stun gun configuration with a waveform generator 112 housed within a hand-held unit (base) corresponding to the weapon 102 in FIG. 1. The generator 112 uses electrical energy from a source 112A (such as a battery, capacitor, etc.) to deliver electrically tetanizing pulses via conductive electrodes 114 to a target 116 via one or more conductors (wires) 118.

While not separately shown, a user-activated firing mechanism is utilized to launch the electrodes 114 to the target 116. The electrodes 114 may include tangs or other features that engage the target 116, including but not limited to arrangements that contact and/or pierce a dermal layer of the target. The conductive wires 118 may be coiled or otherwise packaged to facilitate fast unspooling as the electrodes 114 are launched and travel down range to impinge the target 116.

One or more sensors 120 (or elements thereof) are additionally launched as part of the payload (projectile 104, FIG. 1) for engagement with the target 116. The sensors 120 operate to sense one or more biometric states of the target 116 in order to assess the application of the tetanization energy from the waveform generator 112.

As described above, the biometric state of the target is used broadly to describe any number of parameters associated with the target, including sensed properties such as impedance and sensed responses such as muscular contraction, etc. The sensors can include electrical, optical, magnetic, piezoelectric, inductive, proximity, temperature and/or other detection capabilities to measure or otherwise determine any number of desired biometric states including but not limited to impedance, voltage drop, current drop, intramuscular pressure, contraction force or rate, frequency or amplitude response, electromagnetic field characteristics, blood flow rate, perspiration, temperature, etc. It will be noted that the biometric state relates to the state of the body of the target, and so is independent of and does not include the location, coordinates, distance from the user, or other geopositioning data relating to the target.

A communication pathway 122 passes sensed response values from the sensor(s) 120 to a biofeedback control and adjustment circuit 124, which is also located within the hand-held unit. The circuit 124 adaptively adjusts the operation of the waveform generator 112 to supply an appropriate level of tetanization energy to the target 116 to establish and maintain incapacitation based on the sensor feedback.

The sensor communication pathway 122 in FIG. 2 can take a variety of forms. In some embodiments, a wireless communication pathway is utilized as shown in another adaptive HEMI system 130 in FIG. 3A. In this arrangement, a control circuit based receiver/transmitter (Rx/Tx) circuit 132 communicates with a sensor based Rx/Tx circuit 134 via a wireless data transfer channel 136. Any number of suitable protocols can be used. including but not limited to Bluetooth, etc.

An advantage of the wireless communication channel 136 of FIG. 3A is that the sensor can be launched either separately or in conjunction with the electrodes 114 to establish contact with the target 116, and signals can be communicated independently of the application of the tetanization pulses.

Alternatively or additionally, a wired connection in the form of conductive wires 138 can be used to facilitate communications between the control and sensor circuits 132, 134, as further represented in FIG. 3A. The sensor conductive wires 138 can be bundled and launched with the electrode conductive wires 118 (FIG. 2), such as by wrapping smaller diameter sensor conductive wires 138A around larger diameter electrode conductive wires 118A as depicted in FIG. 3B. Alternatively, the sensor payload can be fired separately from the electrode payload, so that, for example, the sensors (or electrodes) are deployed first, followed a short time later by the electrodes (or sensors).

FIG. 3C shows aspects of another adaptive HEMI system 140 in which the sensor(s) 120 are incorporated into the electrodes 114 in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the same conductor wires 118 used to transmit the tetanizing pulses are also used to transmit sensor data in the times between pulses. To this end, control circuitry 142 can communicate with combined electrodes and sensor units 144 via respective switching circuitry such as in the form of multiplexors (mux) 146 and 148.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of a tetanization pulse waveform 150 that can be applied to a target such as 116 in accordance with some embodiments. It will be understood that the particular waveform applied to the target will depend on the requirements of a given application, and the various simplified waveforms depicted in FIG. 4 are merely illustrative and are not limiting. It is contemplated that both acquisition and tetanization pulses of different magnitudes can be employed as discussed above, but such have not been illustrated for purposes of clarity of discussion.

The tetanization waveform 150 is depicted as having tetanization pulse groups 152 made up of one or more individual tetanization pulses 154 that are repeated in relatively rapid succession. Each pulse group 152 can have any number of pulses 154, including from a single pulse up to a large number of pulses. Generally, the sequence involves application of a pulse group 152 during a first time interval 156, followed by a null period during a second time interval 158 between the pulse groups 152 during which no tetanization energy is applied.

In some cases, the pulses 154 within each tetanization group 152 are at relatively high frequency (e.g., many thousands of hertz, Hz), and the pulse groups 152 are delivered at a relatively low duty cycle (e.g., a few tens of Hz, such as about 20 times a second, etc.). This leaves a relatively long period of time in between each adjacent set of pulse groups 152 (e.g., interval 158). This also provides shorter available null intervals 159 between the adjacent pulses 154 in each group 152.

FIG. 4 further shows a sense data communication waveform 160 that can be used to transmit sense data at appropriate times, such as during the null periods (e.g., intervals 158, 159), or application periods (e.g., pulses 154) in the tetanization waveform 150. The waveform 160 can be arranged as sense pulse groups 162 with individual sense pulses 164 and intervening null intervals 166.

The sense waveform 160 communicates the sensor readings and other information as required. The data may be in the form of encoded digital data (including error correction and run-length limited encoding) or may be in analog form as required. While communications of sensor data are contemplated as being substantially one-way, that is, from the sensor to the adaptive adjustment circuit, in other embodiments, commands and/or data can be bi-directional.

Continuing with FIG. 4, it can be seen that as a result of the sensor values transmitted via sense pulse group 162, an adjustment is made in the magnitude of the pulses in the next applied tetanization pulse group 152A; that is, the subsequently applied pulses 154A are lower in magnitude as compared to the previously applied pulses 154.

It will be appreciated that other adjustments can be made as desired, including increases in the magnitudes of the pulses; changes in the durations of the respective pulses; adjustments up or down to the frequency of the pulses in the pulse groups; waveform tailoring so that the pulses in a particular pulse group take a particular shape or change in shape over time; changes in the null times between pulses or pulse groups; and so on. The adaptive feedback supplied by the sensors can enable an appropriately tailored profile of tetanization pulses be applied to the target that ensures effective immobilization without undue risk of injury.

FIG. 5 shows another adaptive HEMI system 170 in accordance with further embodiments. In FIG. 5, a stun-gun base unit (weapon) 172 fires projectiles that impact or otherwise interact with a target body 174. The projectiles include electrodes 176 and at least one sensor 178. Conductive wires 179 are deployed as appropriate to communicate as set forth in FIG. 4.

It is contemplated but not necessarily required that the sensor be brought directly into contact with the target body; as noted above, further embodiments can use specially configured electrodes that can both deliver the tetanization pulses during the active intervals 156 and can be used to receive lower level sense pulses forwarded by the hand-held unit 172 during the null period intervals 158. In this case, the sensor, such as a differential amplifier circuit, etc., can be located within the hand-held unit to sense the target response between sets of tetanization pulses over the same conductors. Other configurations can be used.

FIG. 6 shows yet another adaptive HEMI system 180 configured as a self-contained projectile in accordance with further embodiments. In this case, the projectile can be fired from an otherwise standard firearm such as a shotgun (not separately shown in FIG. 6) to a down range target (also not shown in FIG. 6). Contained within the projectile 180 are each of the various elements described above, including a pulse generator circuit 182, an adaptive control circuit 184, electrodes 186 and one or more sensors 188. This allows the projectile 180 to be fired from long range to a target, and localized application and adaptation of the applied tetanization pulses can be supplied to the target.

The electrodes 186 or other securement features of the projectile 180 such as tangs, adhesive, etc. can be configured to maintain contact of the fired payload 180 against the target. Other elements can be incorporated into the projectile 180 as well, such as location devices, tracking devices, monitoring devices, etc.

FIG. 7 shows another adaptive HEMI system 200 in accordance with further embodiments. The system is similar to the systems 100, 110, 170 and 180 above and includes a HEMI waveform generator 202 configured to provide tetanization pulses, a biofeedback device 204 configured to provide adaptive adjustment and control of the pulses from the generator 202, and a payload 206 that is projected onto a target 208.

The payload 206 includes one or more feedback sensors 210 and conductive electrodes 212 that operate as described previously to deliver the tetanization pulses and provide feedback regarding a detected biometric state of the target 208. As described above, the payload 206 can be a self-contained projectile, a projectile having a set of elements connected to the devices 202, 204 via conductive wires, etc.

FIG. 8 shows yet another adaptive HEMI system 220 generally similar to the adaptive HEMI system 200 in FIG. 7, except that the system 220 has additional features to carry out further adaptive control of the tetanization energy supplied to a target. To this end, the system 220 includes a number of elements that were described previously including a pulse generator 222, adaptive control circuit 224, sensors 226 and electrodes 228. The additional features include an in-line current limiter circuit 230 to provide integration sensing of the applied current, and an optional mode selection circuit 232 to allow selective use of the circuit 230.

With respect to the circuit 230, research has shown that the amount of charge delivery from a conducted energy weapon (CEW) can be a primary factor in muscular tetanization effectiveness after initial axon (nerve) recruitment from the generated high-voltage electromagnetic field between electrodes. This research has shown that tetanization effectiveness is roughly equivalent for pulse shapes containing an equivalent amount of charge but with differing durations between approximately 1 microsecond to 10 milliseconds per pulse.

The human body can be approximated by a resistor, usually taking an impedance value of from about 100 ohms (Ω) to upwards of about 1200 Ω or more, depending on the individual body characteristics such as fat content, hydration, fitness level, etc.

CEWs are typically not intelligent weapons, and by themselves, will generate a repeatable, fixed high-voltage at the target from a compact energy source such as a battery for a fixed duration of time. As a result, the amount of current delivered into the target (I_target) will usually vary in accordance with Ohm's law as follows:

$\begin{array}{cc}{I}_{\mathrm{target}}=\frac{V_{\mathrm{CEW}}}{R_{\mathrm{target}}}& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

where V_CEW is the applied voltage and R_target is the target impedance. As noted above, if the target impedance R_target varies by an order of magnitude or more, this will have a significant impact upon the current delivered to the target, and by extension, the amount of charge delivered to the target. The delivered charge C is a function of time T, as shown:

$\begin{array}{cc}C=I_{\mathrm{target}}*T& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

It follows that the amount of charge C can also vary by an order of magnitude or more based on target impedance. This effect makes CEWs less effective on targets with high levels of body impedance and overly effective on targets with low levels of body impedance.

The circuit 230 from FIG. 8 thus provides an adaptive charge limiting circuit that is arranged in-line with the high voltage source and target. The circuit monitors the amount of charge delivered to the target from the existing applied waveform, and adjusts the waveform adaptively to ensure an appropriate and effective amount of charge is supplied in each pulse.

To illustrate this operation, FIG. 9 provides a set of curves 240 to illustrate application of the same effective amount of charge to four different targets using four different pulses. Curve 242 represents a pulse applied to a low impedance target (e.g., on the order of say 100 Ω or less); curve 244 for a intermediate-low impedance target (e.g., around 400-500 Ω); curve 246 for an intermediate-high impedance target (e.g., 700-800 Ω); and curve 248 for a high impedance target (e.g., around 1200 Ω).

It can be seen that essentially the same overall amount of charge is delivered to each of the respective targets, although there is significant variation in both pulse magnitude and duration for each curve. The four different curves 242, 244, 246 and 248 are essentially equivalent from a tetanization effectiveness perspective, and bring effectiveness on targets at the impedance extremes closer to the mean.

Accordingly, the charge limiting circuit 230 from FIG. 8 operates to integrate the current delivered to the target through the electrodes, in real time, and terminates the generation of the high voltage potential used to deliver the current at the appropriate time.

FIG. 10 provides a functional block representation of another adaptive HEMI system 250 in accordance with further embodiments. The system 250 is similar to the various systems described above and includes a high voltage generator 252, a pair of electrodes 254, 256 that engage a human target 258, and an in-line charge limiter circuit 260.

A high voltage charge path is established by conductor 262, which supplies the pulses from the generator 252 to the first electrode 254 which is positioned at a first location of on the target 258. The charge passes along or through the body of the target 258 to the second electrode 256, after which the charge path continues via conductor 264 to an integrator circuit 266 of the charge limiter circuit 260.

A suitable reference voltage is generated by reference voltage source 268. The integrator output and the reference voltage are supplied as inputs to a comparator 270. In one embodiment, the integrator 266 accumulates voltage in relation to the total amount of charge supplied to the target 258 until the reference voltage level from block 268 is met, after which the comparator 270 outputs a transition in logical state (e.g., from low to high, etc.). A logic controller 272 operates in response to the comparator output to modulate (e.g., turn off) the further application of the existing pulse.

In this way, substantially the same overall amount of charge will be supplied to the target 258 irrespective of whether the target has high, low or intermediate body impedance characteristics. The respective pulses applied to the target 258 can correspond to the respective curves 242 through 248, accordingly.

Other configurations for the system 250 can be used. In some embodiments, the circuit 260 can be realized using diodes, capacitors, resistive ladder networks, operational amplifiers, digital logic, programmable controllers, hardware controllers, and/or other elements as required. In some cases, a programmable processor that uses program instructions in a memory can be incorporated into the system, such as the control logic, to adaptively control the operation of the system as described herein. Machine learning techniques can be used to evaluate sensor data and other training data to adaptively adjust and improve operation of the system.

In this way, the charge limiting circuit integrates the current delivered to the target through the electrodes, in real time, and end generation of the high-voltage potential used to deliver said current at the appropriate time. This also allows for the ability to tailor the level of charge which is shown to be effective on human targets as human bioeffects research and CEW capabilities evolve in the future, or based on user needs in the moment. In other words, the charge limiter can be tuned to either a fixed level, determined through effectiveness research, or on-the-fly by a user in the field using active electronic devices within the charge limiting circuit if circumstances warrant. This charge limiting device creates an opportunity for CEW to become more tailorable to highly variable targets and more flexible based on the needs of users in critical, high-risk scenarios.

A separate sensor is not shown in the arrangement of FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the charge limiter circuit 260 is utilized in lieu of sensing supplied by a separate sensor, allowing the charge limiter to operate as an indirect sensor of the biometric state of the target (e.g., such as by the rate at which the charge accumulates, which in turn is a function of target resistance).

In other embodiments, both a sensor and an in-line charge circuit are provided and operate together, as represented by the previously discussed arrangement in FIG. 8. In this case, the sensor(s) 228 detect and provide feedback to provide a first set of adjustments to the pulse generator 222 to shape an initial applied tetanization waveform. During operation, the current limiter 230 monitors the continued operation of the pulses and provides a second set of adjustments to modify the applied waveform for each pulse or series of pulses.

In still further embodiments, feedback from the sensors 228 can be used to adjust the reference voltage or other settings to enable the circuit 230, 250 to adaptively adjust the total desired amount of accumulated charge. This can also be implemented in other ways, such as by a user setting. For example, the user of the system can initially set the device if the target is perceived to be large or small, young or old, etc. and then the system can adaptively adjust the applied waveform as necessary to deliver the appropriate charge.

In yet further embodiments, either or both the sensors 226 and the in-line current limiter 230 can be selected under different operational modes either automatically or by user input via the mode select circuit 232.

FIG. 11 provides a sequence diagram 280 to illustrate operation of the various adaptive HEMI systems discussed herein in accordance with at least some embodiments. The sequence commences at block 282 in which the user initializes the system. This can include operations such as powering on the device, inputting various settings such as mode selection, etc. At this point, the device is ready to fire.

At block 284, the system engages the target by deploying a payload (projectile) with electrodes and sensors as required. An initial tetanization profile is next applied by way of the electrodes at block 286, so that tetanization energy is supplied to the body of the target as discussed above.

A biometric state of the target is determined at block 288, and adaptive adjustments are made as required at block 290 to the applied profile to maintain the tetanization energy at a suitable level.

The target biometric state of block 288 can be determined including through the use of one or more sensors to sense a target property or a target response, block 292, and/or through the use of an integrator to sense and control the total amount of applied charge in each pulse or group of pulses, block 294.

In this way, block 292 can be viewed as operating to sense a target property or a target response of the body of the human target, with the target property being an electrical characteristic of the body such as impedance, and the target response being a response by the body induced by the applied tetanization energy such as intramuscular pressure, contraction force, contraction rate, frequency response, amplitude response, an electromagnetic field characteristic, or a blood flow rate.

Block 294 can be viewed as operating to integrate an amount of current supplied to the body of the human target during at least one pulse of the electrical pulses, thereby allowing adjustment of the applied tetanization energy to maintain a desired total amount of applied electrical charge at a predetermined threshold level.

FIG. 12 is a simplified functional block diagram for an unmanned system (UxS) 300 that can be utilized in accordance with further embodiments as a delivery platform for an adaptive HEMI system as described herein.

The UxS 300 can take a variety of forms, including but not necessarily limited to an unmanned aerial system (e.g., a drone, etc.), an unmanned ground system (e.g., a robotic vehicle), etc. As such, the UxS 300 includes various elements including sensors, drivetrains, propellers, airfoil surfaces, articulation mechanisms, wheels. tracks, communication and control electronics, etc. to allow autonomously or remotely controlled operation of the system, depending on the configuration of the UxS.

In addition, the UxS 300 includes at least a delivery mechanism 302 and at least one payload 304 for delivery by the delivery mechanism to a target (not separately shown). While a self-contained projectile is a particularly suitable configuration for the payload 304 (see e.g., FIG. 6), various other forms of payload can be used as required.

It will now be appreciated that the various embodiments provide a number of benefits. Without limitation, some embodiments can be characterized as an adaptive HEMI system having an electrical pulse generator (such as 112, 182, 202, 222) configured to generate a sequence of time-varying electrical pulses (such as 160). A delivery mechanism (such as 114, 118, 118A, 170) is configured to apply (such as at 286) the electrical pulses to a body of a human target (such as 106, 116, 208, 258). A sensor (such as 120, 144, 178, 188, 210, 226) detects a biometric state of the body (such as at 288, 292, 294), and an adaptive adjustment circuit (such as 124, 184, 204, 224) adjusts the electrical pulses (such as 154A, 290) from the electrical pulse generator responsive to the detected biometric state to maintain a desired level of applied tetanization energy to the body of the human target. Other embodiments can be characterized as a method adapted to carry out the foregoing operations.

By monitoring the biometric state of the target, adjustments can be made adaptively to deliver and maintain the appropriate level of tetanization energy. Monitoring target response can determine, such as through muscular contraction measurements, the applied level of incapacitation, ensuring neither too much or too little energy is being applied. Monitoring target properties can similarly ensure appropriate levels of energy are supplied. Providing accumulator capabilities to measure the accumulated charge can further allow the tetanization profile to be adaptively tailored during a tetanization event.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the disclosure, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: an electrical pulse generator configured to generate a sequence of time-varying electrical pulses;a delivery mechanism configured to apply the electrical pulses to a body of a human target;a sensor configured to detect a biometric state of the body of the human target; andan adaptive adjustment circuit configured to adjust the electrical pulses from the electrical pulse generator responsive to the detected biometric state to maintain a desired level of applied tetanization energy to the body of the human target.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery mechanism comprises at least one conductive electrode configured to contact the body of the human target.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to contact the body of the human target by delivery thereto by the delivery mechanism, and wherein the adaptive adjustment circuit adjusts the electrical pulses responsive operation of the sensor to sense a target property or a target response of the body of the human target.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor senses at least a selected one of impedance, intramuscular pressure, contraction force, contraction rate, frequency response, amplitude response, an electromagnetic field characteristic, or a blood flow rate associated with the body of the human target responsive to the application of the electrical pulses.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an in-line charge limiting circuit configured to monitor an amount of charge delivered to the body of the human target, wherein the adaptive adjustment circuit adjusts the electrical pulses responsive to an integration function carried out by the in-line charge limiting circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a magnitude of the electrical pulses is established responsive to the sensor, and a duration of the electrical pulses is established responsive to the in-line charge limiting circuit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery mechanism comprises a high voltage power generator which generates the electrical pulses using electrical energy supplied by an electrical source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized as a self-contained projectile that is fired by a base unit, the self-contained projectile operative without a wired connection to the base unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the base unit is a shotgun.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is characterized as at least one of an electrical, optical, magnetic, piezoelectric, inductive, proximity or temperature sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery mechanism comprises at least two electrodes, wherein electrode conductive wires interconnect the at least two electrodes to the electrical pulse generator, and wherein the sensor is coupled to at least one of the at least two electrodes.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one sensor conductive wire that is bundled with the electrode conductive wires to provide communication of sensor data from the sensor to the adaptive adjustment circuit.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor communicates sensor data to the adaptive adjustment circuit using the electrode conductive wires during null intervals between the electrical pulses.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biometric state of the body of the human target determined by the sensor comprises an electrical characteristic or physiological response to the tetanization energy and is independent of geoposition of the human target.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least the delivery mechanism is incorporated into an unmanned system (UxS) comprising one of an unmanned aerial system or an unmanned ground system.

16. A method comprising: using a delivery mechanism to apply a sequence of time-varying electrical pulses to a body of a human target, the electrical pulses generated by an electrical pulse generator;detecting a biometric state of the body of the human target responsive to the applied electrical pulses; andadaptively adjusting the electrical pulses from the electrical pulse generator responsive to the detected biometric state to maintain a desired level of applied tetanization energy to the body of the human target.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sensor is delivered to the body of the human target by the delivery mechanism, and wherein the adaptive adjustment circuit adjusts the electrical pulses responsive to operation of the sensor to sense at least a selected one of a target property or a target response of the body of the human target.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the target property comprises an electrical impedance of the body of the human target and wherein the target response comprises at least a selected one of an intramuscular pressure, a contraction force, a contraction rate, a frequency response, an amplitude response, an electromagnetic field characteristic, or a blood flow rate associated with the body of the human target responsive to the application of the electrical pulses.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising integrating an amount of current supplied to the body of the human target during at least one pulse of the electrical pulses and adjusting the applied tetanization energy to maintain a desired total amount of applied electrical charge at a predetermined threshold level.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the sensor is characterized as at least one of an electrical, optical, magnetic, piezoelectric, inductive, proximity or temperature sensor.