Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inducing action potentials at an adjustable locus of electrically excitable tissue of an organism, comprising in combination:
- (A) at least one return electrode capable of being disposed within the organism;
(B) a plurality of electrodes adapted to be implanted adjacent to the tissue and forming an array of a first group of electrodes in an inner ring formation and a second group of electrodes in an outer ring formation;
(C) a first set of at least one electrode of the first group of electrodes capable of being driven with a first pulse parameter;
(D) a second set of at least one electrode of the second group of electrodes capable of being driven with a second pulse parameter; and
(E) a generator configured to provide the first and second pulses to the first and second sets respectively to cause a steerable electric field with respect to the return electrode, and to provide a potential to cause at least one of the outer ring of electrodes to become anodal thereby causing the electric field to be contained within a certain region and causing outer tissue to be shielded from activation.
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Abstract
The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inducing action potentials at an adjustable locus of electrically excitable tissue of an organism, comprising in combination:
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(A) at least one return electrode capable of being disposed within the organism;
(B) a plurality of electrodes adapted to be implanted adjacent to the tissue and forming an array of a first group of electrodes in an inner ring formation and a second group of electrodes in an outer ring formation;
(C) a first set of at least one electrode of the first group of electrodes capable of being driven with a first pulse parameter;
(D) a second set of at least one electrode of the second group of electrodes capable of being driven with a second pulse parameter; and
(E) a generator configured to provide the first and second pulses to the first and second sets respectively to cause a steerable electric field with respect to the return electrode, and to provide a potential to cause at least one of the outer ring of electrodes to become anodal thereby causing the electric field to be contained within a certain region and causing outer tissue to be shielded from activation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification