Optimization of application of current
First Claim
1. Apparatus, for use with a nerve of a subject, the apparatus comprising:
- an implantable excitation unit, including an excitation-unit electrode, and configured to induce action potentials in the nerve by driving the excitation-unit electrode to apply an excitatory current to the nerve;
an implantable blocking unit, including a blocking-unit electrode, and configured to block the induced action potentials from propagating along the nerve by driving the blocking-unit electrode to apply a blocking current to the nerve;
an implantable sensor unit;
configured to detect the induced action potentials in the nerve,including a sensor unit antenna, andconfigured to provide, via the sensor unit antenna, and in response to detecting the induced action potentials in the nerve, a sensor signal that conveys information about the detected induced action potentials; and
an extracorporeal controller, programmed with a first mode and a second mode, and comprising (i) at least one controller antenna, and (ii) circuitry configured to, via the at least one controller antenna;
wirelessly drive the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current,in the first mode of the extracorporeal controller, wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while not driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, andin the second mode of the extracorporeal controller, wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current,wherein the circuitry is programmed with a calibration routine, and is configured to automatically periodically run the calibration routine, the calibration routine comprising;
(a) switching the extracorporeal controller into the second mode,(b) via the at least one controller antenna, wirelessly receiving the sensor signal, the sensor signal conveying information about induced action potentials detected while the extracorporeal controller is in the second mode,(c) in response to the sensor signal received in step (b) of the calibration routine, wirelessly altering a parameter of the blocking current, and(d) switching the extracorporeal controller into the first mode.
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Abstract
Apparatus is provided, comprising: (a) an implantable excitation unit, configured to induce action potentials in a nerve of a subject by applying an excitatory current; (b) an implantable blocking unit, configured to block the induced action potentials from propagating along the nerve by applying a blocking current; and (c) an extracorporeal controller, comprising circuitry configured: (i) to wirelessly drive the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, (ii) in a first mode, to wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while not driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, (iii) in a second mode, to wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, and (iv) to wirelessly alter a parameter of the blocking current, based on sensing performed while the extracorporeal controller is in the second mode.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus, for use with a nerve of a subject, the apparatus comprising:
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an implantable excitation unit, including an excitation-unit electrode, and configured to induce action potentials in the nerve by driving the excitation-unit electrode to apply an excitatory current to the nerve; an implantable blocking unit, including a blocking-unit electrode, and configured to block the induced action potentials from propagating along the nerve by driving the blocking-unit electrode to apply a blocking current to the nerve; an implantable sensor unit; configured to detect the induced action potentials in the nerve, including a sensor unit antenna, and configured to provide, via the sensor unit antenna, and in response to detecting the induced action potentials in the nerve, a sensor signal that conveys information about the detected induced action potentials; and an extracorporeal controller, programmed with a first mode and a second mode, and comprising (i) at least one controller antenna, and (ii) circuitry configured to, via the at least one controller antenna; wirelessly drive the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, in the first mode of the extracorporeal controller, wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while not driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, and in the second mode of the extracorporeal controller, wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, wherein the circuitry is programmed with a calibration routine, and is configured to automatically periodically run the calibration routine, the calibration routine comprising; (a) switching the extracorporeal controller into the second mode, (b) via the at least one controller antenna, wirelessly receiving the sensor signal, the sensor signal conveying information about induced action potentials detected while the extracorporeal controller is in the second mode, (c) in response to the sensor signal received in step (b) of the calibration routine, wirelessly altering a parameter of the blocking current, and (d) switching the extracorporeal controller into the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification