Method and apparatus for utilizing amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation signals for neurostimulation and treatment of neurological disorders using electrical stimulation

• US 20060258950A1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey B. Hargrove
• Original Assignee: Synergistic Neurotherapy Adjustment Process Inc.
• Inventors: Hargrove, Jeffrey B., Esty, Mary L., Stokes, Theodore J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,715,910 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/374 Detecting the frequency distribution of signals, e.g. detecting delta, theta, alpha, beta or gamma waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition

Abstract

A computing device-controlled system is described for the generation of amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signals for use in treating neurological dysfunction via cranial neurostimulation, where the AMPWM signal is specifically designed to minimize the electrical impedance of the tissues of the head. A low-frequency carrier signal is determined for the AMPWM signal by measuring EEG activity at a reference site or sites, generally corresponding with the location of suspected brain dysfunction. Carrier signal frequency is variably related to critical frequency components of the EEG power spectral density, determined from statistical analysis of amplitudes and variability, and dynamically changed as a function of time to prevent entrainment. The AMPWM signal is presented to a subject via a plurality of neurostimulation delivery modes for therapeutic use.

Claims

1-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A method for providing electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder by electrically stimulating and treating a tissue, the method comprising:

generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of the tissue using a transmitting device, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment; and

transmitting the AMPWM signal to the tissue.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the transmitting device is not implanted in the tissue to be treated.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

measuring a voltage associated with electrical activity at at least one reference site of the tissue.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein generating the AMPWM signal occurs after determining a measured voltage.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the stimulation signal is induced at an overlapping time period with a measured voltage.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the high frequency signal component of the stimulation signal includes periodic times having minimal amplitude, and wherein measuring the voltage occurs during the periodic times having minimal amplitude.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the measured voltage comprises an EEG signal.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the low frequency signal component dynamically varies in frequency over time.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein the tissue is a brain and the disorder to be treated is a neurological disorder.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the neurological disorder is not a specific neurological event.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the high frequency signal component is in the range of 43 hertz to 1,000,000 hertz and the low frequency signal component is in the range of 1 hertz-43 hertz.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the high frequency signal component is in the range of 1,000 hertz-100,000 hertz.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the high frequency signal component is in the range of 10,000 hertz-20,000 hertz.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the high frequency signal component is one of 15,360 hertz and 16,384 hertz.

52. The method of claim 38, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated so as to control the stimulation signal'"'"'s time-averaged current when passing through a conducting medium, wherein the conducting medium comprises tissue.

53. A method for providing electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder by electrically stimulating and treating a tissue, the method comprising:

applying an electrical signal with characteristics to minimize signal attenuation due to the impedance of the tissue.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided by an unimplanted transmission device.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the electrical signal is an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising determining a voltage at at least one reference site of the tissue;

generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of the tissue using a transmitting device, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment, and wherein the low frequency signal component dynamically varies in frequency over time;

generating an electrical stimulation and treatment signal from the AMPWM signal; and

transmitting the electrical stimulation and treatment signal to the tissue.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided by an unimplanted transmission device.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the tissue is a brain and the disorder to be treated is a neurological disorder.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the electrical stimulation and treatment signal includes an external stimulation signal that drives an external stimulation device.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the external stimulation device is an audio stimulation device.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the external stimulation device is an optic stimulation device.

62. A system for providing electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder by electrically stimulating and treating a tissue, the system comprising:

means for generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of the tissue using a transmitting device, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment, and wherein the low frequency signal component dynamically varies in frequency over time; and

means for transmitting the AMPWM signal to the tissue.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the transmission device is unimplanted in the tissue.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein the tissue is a brain and the disorder to be treated is a neurological disorder.

65. The system of claim 62, further comprising means for simultaneously providing electrical stimulation and measure of an overlapping voltage.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the overlapping voltage is an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal.

80. The system of claim 65, wherein the high frequency signal component is in the range of 43 hertz to 1,000,000 hertz and the low frequency signal component is in the range of 1 hertz-43 hertz.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the high frequency signal component is in the range of 1,000 hertz-100,000 hertz.

82. The system of claim 80, wherein the high frequency signal component is in the range of 10,000 hertz-20,000 hertz.

83. The system of claim 80, wherein the high frequency signal component is one of 15,360 hertz and 16,384 hertz.

67. A system for providing electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder, the system comprising:

a signal generator for generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the generated AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the generated AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of the tissue using a transmitting device, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment; and

a transmission device coupled to the signal generator, wherein the transmission device transmits electrical stimulation and treatment signal from the generated AMPWM signal, and wherein the transmitted electrical stimulation and treatment signal is communicated to the tissue to electrically stimulate and treat the disorder.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the transmission device is unimplanted in the tissue to be treated.

69. The system of claim 67, wherein the low frequency signal component dynamically varies in frequency over time.

70. The system of claim 67, wherein the tissue is a brain and the disorder to be treated is a neurological disorder.

71. The system of claim 67, wherein the electrical stimulation and treatment signal includes an external stimulation signal that drives an external stimulation device.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the external stimulation device is an audio stimulation device.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein the external stimulation device is an optic stimulation device.

74. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

a processor coupled to the signal generator, the processor being capable of controlling the signal generator.

75. The system of claim 74, further comprising:

a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor being capable of receiving information from at least one reference site of the tissue, wherein information from the sensor is a parameter in determining the AMPWM signal.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the sensor coupled to the processor is a lead for the transmission device that transmits the electrical stimulation.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the sensor coupled to the processor and the lead for the transmission is an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein the system is capable of simultaneous electrical stimulation and receipt of information from the reference site of the tissue.

79. The system of claim 75, wherein the sensor is capable of receiving electroencephalogram (EEG) information.

84. The system of claim 67, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated so as to control the signal'"'"'s time-averaged current when passing through a conducting medium, wherein the conducting medium comprises tissue.