Method for promoting reinnervation of denervated tissue

• US 20040215290A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David L. Zealear
• Original Assignee: David L. Zealear
• Inventors: Zealear, David L
• Granted Patent: US 8,065,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/00 Magnetotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for promoting reinnervation via stimulation of a denervated target tissue, whereby reinnervation of the target tissue by native neurons is enhanced, and whereby reinnervation of the target tissue by foreign neurons is inhibited.

Claims

1. A method for promoting selective reinnervation of a denervated target tissue in a subject comprising stimulating a denervated target tissue, whereby reinnervation of the target tissue by native neurons is enhanced, and whereby reinnervation of the target tissue by foreign neurons is inhibited.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the denervated target tissue comprises a denervated muscle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the denervated muscle comprises a smooth muscle, a cardiac muscle, or a skeletal muscle.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the skeletal muscle comprises a laryngeal muscle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the laryngeal muscle comprises a posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject comprises a mammal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mammal comprises a human.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulating comprises providing electrical stimulation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulating comprises providing magnetic stimulation.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein stimulating comprises continuous or intermittent stimulation.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulating comprises stimulating the target tissue, wherein a pattern of stimulatory activity in the target tissue is substantially similar to a pattern of stimulatory activity in the target tissue prior to denervation.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a stimulator in proximity to the denervated target tissue, whereby the denervated tissue is stimulated by the stimulator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the stimulator is implantable or injectable.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the stimulator is programmable.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the native neurons comprise motoneurons, and wherein the foreign neurons comprise motoneurons.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising stimulating the denervated target tissue, whereby function of the tissue is restored.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the target tissue comprises a muscle, and wherein the function of the muscle comprises contraction.