Non-invasive device and method for electrical stimulation of neural tissue

• US 20070150027A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lesco Rogers
• Original Assignee: Lesco Rogers
• Inventors: Rogers, Lesco
• Application Number:
  US11/315,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20070150027A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/55
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0502 Skin piercing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362

Abstract

A non-invasive device and method for stimulation of neural tissue of a patient comprises a power source and at least one pair of electrodes. The power source applies a voltage to the pair of electrodes, and the electrodes extend through a top layer of skin generally adjacent Arnold'"'"'s nerve. The device can be formed in shape similar to a hearing aid. A second pair of electrodes may also be used, positioned on the skin generally adjacent the auriculotemporal nerve.

Claims

1. A non-invasive device for stimulation of neural tissue of a patient comprising, in combination:

a power source; and

at least one pair of electrodes;

wherein the power source applies a voltage to the at least one pair of electrodes, and the electrodes extend through a top layer of skin generally adjacent the auditory canal of the patient.

2. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the electrodes extend through a stratum corneum layer of an epidermis layer of the skin.

3. The non-invasive device of claim 2 wherein the electrodes extend to a stratum germinativum layer of the skin.

4. The non-invasive device of claim 1 further comprising another pair of electrodes generally positioned generally adjacent the auriculotemporal nerve of the patient, wherein the electrodes are powered by the power source.

5. The non-invasive device of claim 1 further comprising a controller and a power source mounted in a housing adapted to be positioned behind an ear of the patient.

6. The non-invasive device of claim 5 wherein the pair of electrodes are positioned in a casing and connected to the housing by a connector.

7. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the voltage applied at the at least one pair of electrodes has an amplitude ranging from about 0.5 to 10 Volts.

8. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the voltage applied at the at least one pair of electrodes has a pulse width ranging from about 90 to 500 microseconds.

9. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the voltage applied at the at least one pair of electrodes has a frequency ranging from about 15 to 150 Hz.

10. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the electrodes are provided with a plurality of spikes which extend into the skin.

11. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the at least one pair of electrodes is positioned generally adjacent Arnold'"'"'s nerve.

12. The non-invasive device of claim 1 wherein the at least one pair of electrodes are positioned near the left ear of the patient.

13. A non-invasive device for stimulation of neural tissue of a patient comprising, in combination:

a power source; and

at least one pair of electrodes;

wherein the power source applies a voltage to the at least one pair of electrodes, and the electrodes extend through a top layer of skin generally adjacent an Arnold'"'"'s nerve of the patient.

14. The non-invasive device of claim 13 further comprising a second pair of electrodes which extend through a top layer of skin generally adjacent an auriculotemporal nerve of the patient.

15. A non-invasive method of stimulating neural tissue in a patient comprising, in combination, the steps of:

positioning at least one pair of electrodes generally adjacent an Arnold'"'"'s nerve of a patient, wherein the electrodes extend at least through a stratum corneum layer of an epidermis of the patient; and

applying a voltage across the at least one pair of electrodes.

16. The non-invasive method of stimulating neural tissue of claim 15 wherein the electrodes are formed with a plurality of spikes which extend into the epidermis of the patient.

17. The non-invasive method of stimulating neural tissue of claim 15 wherein the electrodes extend to a stratum germinativum layer of the patient.

18. The non-invasive method of stimulating neural tissue of claim 15 further comprising the step of positioning the electrodes generally adjacent the left ear.