SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NEURO-STIMULATION
First Claim
1. A system for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part, the system comprising:
- a controller including;
a user interface;
a power supply;
at least one electrical connector; and
a processor with software, the processor determining, according to values entered into the user interface, an electrical signal directed from the power supply to the at least one electrical connector; and
a stimulator adapted to be detachably coupled to the controller via the at least one electrical connector, the stimulator including;
a plurality of stimulating elements, including at least one electrode device and at least one vibration element; and
an attachment element to attach the stimulator to a body part, wherein the controller is operable to drive at least one of the stimulating elements with an electrical signal, and in response to the electrical signal, at least one of the stimulating elements provides a stimulation for the body part, the stimulation being at least one of a subthreshold stimulation and an aperiodic stimulation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and/or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and/or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation may be an aperiodic stimulation and/or may be a subthreshold stimulation. In one embodiment, the stimulator is disposable and the processor determines usage of the stimulator and ensures that the stimulator is limited to a certain amount of use. Neuro-stimulation systems may be applied to sensory cells of body parts during movement of the body parts to induce neuroplastic changes. Such movement may involve a variety of therapeutic applications, e.g. in stroke patient therapy.
320 Citations
80 Claims
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1. A system for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part, the system comprising:
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a controller including;
a user interface;
a power supply;
at least one electrical connector; and
a processor with software, the processor determining, according to values entered into the user interface, an electrical signal directed from the power supply to the at least one electrical connector; and
a stimulator adapted to be detachably coupled to the controller via the at least one electrical connector, the stimulator including;
a plurality of stimulating elements, including at least one electrode device and at least one vibration element; and
an attachment element to attach the stimulator to a body part, wherein the controller is operable to drive at least one of the stimulating elements with an electrical signal, and in response to the electrical signal, at least one of the stimulating elements provides a stimulation for the body part, the stimulation being at least one of a subthreshold stimulation and an aperiodic stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of enhancing sensorimotor performance in a subject comprising the steps of:
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inputting an aperiodic signal to at least one sensory cell area of the subject;
moving at least one body segment of the subject relative to another simultaneous with the step of inputting an aperiodic signal to at least one sensory cell area of the subject, wherein the at least one body segment utilizes sensory cells within the sensory cell area that is involved in the sensorimotor performance to be enhanced; and
inducing neuroplastic changes in the nervous system of the subject by inputting the aperiodic signal for a period of time long enough that the subject'"'"'s sensorimotor performance is enhanced. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. A method for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part with a neuro-stimulation device having a stimulator configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation, the method comprising the step of applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to at least one body part to mitigate muscle tension, contracture, or spasm resulting from neurodegenerative disease.
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23. A method for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part with a neuro-stimulation device having a stimulator configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation, the method comprising the step of applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to an intercostal muscle in a chest area of an asthmatic patient to improve lung function.
- 24. A method for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part with a neuro-stimulation device having a stimulator configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation, the method comprising the step of applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to an area where pain is felt by a subject.
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26. A method for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part with a neuro-stimulation device having a stimulator configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation, the method comprising the step of applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to a joint of a subject with a sensory deficit to enhance awareness of body movement and increase muscle strength.
- 27. A method for providing neuro-stimulation to a body part with a neuro-stimulation device having a stimulator configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation, the method comprising the step of applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to swallowing organs to improve swallowing function.
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31. A method for improving cardiac function with a neuro-stimulation device having a stimulator configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation, the method comprising applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to a heart muscle, whereby resistance to overfilling is enhanced.
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35. A method for enhancing sensory function in a subject, the method comprising:
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providing a stimulation source to an external device, wherein the stimulation source provides a stimulation including at least one of a subthreshold stimulation and an aperiodic stimulation; and
receiving, with the external device, an interaction with a body part, wherein the stimulation source applies the stimulation to sensory cells of the body part during the contact to enhance sensory function associated with the body part. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A firearm for enhancing accuracy in shooting applications, the firearm comprising:
a controller including;
a power supply;
an electrical connector; and
a processor determining an electrical signal directed from the power supply to the electrical connector; and
at least one stimulator operably coupled to the controller via the electrical connector and positioned on at least one of a trigger and a gun stock, the at least one stimulator including at least one of an electrode device and a vibration element, wherein, the processor is operable to drive at least one of the electrode device and the vibration element with the electrical signal, and in response to the electrical signal, at least one of the electrode device and the vibration element provides a stimulation to sensory cells in contact with at least one of the trigger and the gun stock.
- 50. The system according to claim 50, wherein the controller has an operational mode in which the electrical signal has an aperiodic waveform.
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52. A system for providing neuro-stimulation through contact with a body part, the system comprising:
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a stimulator including;
a flexible, expandable attachment element having a surface area corresponding to a body part surface area and configured to be attached to the body part surface area; and
at least one electrode device attached to the attachment element to be positioned over the surface area of the body part, wherein the stimulation is configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation.
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- 53. The system according to claim 53, wherein the attachment element is a mesh.
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55. A system for providing neuro-stimulation through contact with a body part, the system comprising:
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a stimulator including;
a flexible, expandable attachment element having a surface area corresponding to a body part surface area and configured to be attached to the body part surface area; and
at least one electrode device attached to the attachment element to be positioned over the surface area of the body part, wherein the stimulation is configured to provide at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation. the method comprising;
attaching the attachment element over the surface area of the body part;
applying, via the stimulator, at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation to the body part.
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- 56. The method according to claim 56, wherein the step of attaching the attachment element comprises attaching the attachment element to the body part via sutures.
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58. A mat comprising:
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a top surface for contact a foot of a subject;
a bottom surface for contact with a floor;
a controller including;
a power supply;
an electrical connector; and
a circuit determining an electrical signal directed from the power supply to the electrical connector; and
a stimulator operably coupled to the controller via the electrical connector and operably coupled to the top surface, wherein the processor is operable to drive the stimulator with the electrical signal, and in response to the electrical signal, the stimulator provides a stimulation to the top surface, the stimulation being at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation.
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59. The mat according to claim 59, further comprising force sensors to detect a position of the foot, wherein the stimulator focuses delivery of the stimulation to the position.
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60. A catheter comprising:
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an elongate body, a plurality of stimulators positioned along the elongate body, wherein the one or more of the stimulators are configured to provide a stimulation, wherein the stimulation is at least one of an aperiodic stimulation or subthreshold stimulation.
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61. A system for enhancing sensorimotor performance in a subject comprising:
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a wearable device to which is secured at least one signal input device, wherein the at least one signal input device is repositionable on the wearable device; and
a signal generator for generating a bias signal, wherein the signal generator is communicatively coupled to the at least one signal input device.
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- 62. The system of claim 62, wherein the signal generator includes a power source, a signal processor and a controller.
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63. The system of claim 63, wherein the signal processor includes a calibration module for adjusting the bias signal produced by the signal processor.
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69. A method of increasing growth hormone release in a subject comprising the step of:
increasing afferent signaling to the pituitary gland and growth hormone release by inputting at least one bias signal to at least one sensory cell area of a subject while the subject is performing a physical activity utilizing sensory cells within the sensory cell area, the bias signal causing the sensory cells to produce the growth hormone.
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70. A method of increasing growth hormone release in a subject comprising the step of:
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increasing afferent signaling to the pituitary gland and growth hormone release by inputting at least one bias signal to at least one sensory cell area of a subject while the subject is performing a physical activity which utilizes sensory cells within the sensory cell area, wherein inputting the at least one bias signal improves the function of the sensory cells, the system comprising a wearable device to which at least one respositionable signal input device is secured, and a signal generator communicatively coupled to the at least one signal input device.
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71. A system for improving neuroplasticity in a subject in accordance with the method of:
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inputting at least one bias signal to at least one sensory cell area of a subject while the subject is performing a pre-defined physical activity which utilizes sensory cells within the sensory cell area and which are involved in the sensorimotor performance to be enhanced, wherein inputting the at least one bias signal improves the function of the sensory cells, and wherein the neuroplasticity is at least one of central neuroplasticity and peripheral neuroplasticity, the system comprising;
a wearable device to which is secured at least one signal input device, wherein the at least one signal input device is repositionable on the wearable device; and
a signal generator for generating a bias signal, wherein the signal generator is communicatively coupled to the at least one signal input device.
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- 72. The system of claim 72, wherein the signal generator includes a power source, a signal processor and a controller.
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73. The system of claim 73, wherein the signal processor includes a calibration module for adjusting the bias signal produced by the signal processor.
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79. A method of enhancing sensorimotor performance in a subject comprising the steps of:
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inputting a stimulation to at least one sensory cell area of the subject, the stimulation being at least one of an aperiodic stimulation and a subthreshold stimulation;
moving, according to a virtual reality system, at least one body segment of the subject relative to another simultaneous with the step of inputting a stimulation to at least one sensory cell area of the subject, wherein the at least one body segment utilizes sensory cells within the sensory cell area that is involved in the sensorimotor performance to be enhanced; and
inducing neuroplastic changes in the nervous system of the subject by inputting the stimulation for a period of time long enough that the subject'"'"'s sensorimotor performance is enhanced.
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80. A method of enhancing sensorimotor performance in a subject comprising the steps of:
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moving, according to a virtual reality system, at least one body segment of the subject relative to another, wherein the at least one body segment utilizes sensory cells within the sensory cell area that is involved in the sensorimotor performance to be enhanced; and
inducing neuroplastic changes in the nervous system of the subject by moving the at least one body segment according to the virtual reality system for a period of time long enough that the subject'"'"'s sensorimotor performance is enhanced.
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Specification