Implant system for chemical modulation of neural activity

• US 20090149798A1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Smith, Michael A., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Goodall, Eleanor V., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Victoria Y.H., Leuthardt, Eric C., Dacey, Ralph G. JR., Della Rocca, Gregory J., Dowling, Joshua L., Derdeyn, Colin P., Zipfel, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,989,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/00 Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body heating or cooling means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses A47C21/00 ; massage, therapeutic baths A61H; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields or ultrasound A61N; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 : specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 : controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 : using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0412 : Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0428 : Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 : Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 : Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 : for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 : for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 : External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 : Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36189 : using modulation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36535 : controlled by body position or posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36542 : controlled by body motion, e.g. acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 : for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Implantable systems for delivery of chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of chemical blocking agents and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A neural modulation system comprising:

a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure;

a signal processing portion configured to;

distinguish a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and

generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state; and

a chemical blocking agent source configured to be implanted within the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal.

2. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes an iontophoresis device.

3. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes an electroporation device.

4. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a sonophoresis device.

5. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a phonophoresis device.

6. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a microneedle array.

7. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a MEMS device.

8. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes plurality of microreservoirs.

9. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes the chemical blocking agent in a polymeric matrix.

10. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes an infusion pump.

11. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to deliver two or more chemical agents.

12. The neural modulation system of claim 1, the chemical blocking agent source is configured to deliver one or more chemical agents at two or more locations.

13. A neural modulation system comprising:

a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure;

a sensor operatively connected to the signal input structure and configured to generate the signal indicative of the activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject responsive to activity of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure.

a signal processing portion configured to;

distinguish a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and

generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state; and

a chemical blocking agent source configured to be implanted within the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal.

14. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is configured to detect muscle activity.

15. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is configured to detect neural activity.

16. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes an electrical sensor.

17. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a magnetic sensor.

18. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.

19. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor.

20. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a force sensor.

21. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a motion sensor.

22. The neural modulation system of claim 13, wherein the sensor includes a chemical sensor.

23. A neural modulation system comprising:

a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure;

a signal processing portion configured to;

distinguish a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and

generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state; and

a chemical blocking agent source configured to be implanted within the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal.

24. The neural modulation system claim 23, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a MEMS device.

25. The neural modulation system of claim 23, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes plurality of microreservoirs.

26. The neural modulation system of claim 23, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes the chemical blocking agent in a polymeric matrix.

27. The neural modulation system of claim 23, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes an infusion pump.

28. The neural modulation system of claim 23, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to deliver two or more chemical agents.

29. The neural modulation system of claim 23, the chemical blocking agent source is configured to deliver one or more chemical agents at two or more locations.