Method for reversible chemical modulation of neural activity

• US 20090149914A1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Soovu Labs, Inc.
• 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 8,180,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• 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 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• 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 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• 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 5/4821 Determining level or depth of anaesthesia A61B5/1106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• 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: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• 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 35/10 : Wearable devices, e.g. garments, glasses or masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 : Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 : by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0092 : using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic vibrations, e.g. phonophoresis
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• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 : of the skin patch type
• 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 1/30 : Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• 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 1/36103 : Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke
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Abstract

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with 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 method of modulating neural activity comprising the steps of:

producing a reversible conduction block in a peripheral neural structure of a subject with a chemical blocking agent while the subject is in a first activity state;

reversing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject to permit conduction in the peripheral neural structure when the subject is in a second activity state by applying a reversing stimulus configured to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject; and

repeating the steps of producing a reversible conduction block in a peripheral neural structure of a subject while the subject is in a first activity state and reversing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject to permit conduction in the peripheral neural structure when the subject is in a second activity state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying heat to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes removing heat from at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying an electric field to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying a pulsed electric field to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying a magnetic field to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying a pulsed magnetic field to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying electromagnetic energy to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying optical photons to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying acoustic energy to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a reversing stimulus to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject includes applying at least one chemical reversing agent to at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the chemical reversing agent reverses the effect of the chemical blocking agent.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the chemical reversing agent opposes the effect of the chemical blocking agent.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the chemical reversing agent causes or influences modification, degradation, metabolism, dispersal, diffusion, transport, uptake, or binding of the chemical blocking agent to oppose the effect of the chemical blocking agent

15. The method of claim 11, including delivering the at least one chemical reversing agent with the chemical blocking agent source.

16. The method of claim 11, including delivering the at least one chemical reversing agent with a secondary chemical agent source.

17. The method of claim 1, including storing information regarding an activity state of the subject.

18. The method of claim 1, including storing information regarding producing the reversible conduction block.

19. The method of claim 1, including transmitting information regarding an activity state of the subject.

20. The method of claim 1, including transmitting information regarding producing the reversible conduction block.

21. A method of modulating neural activity comprising the steps of:

producing a reversible conduction block in a peripheral neural structure of a subject with a chemical blocking agent while the subject is in a first activity state;

reversing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject to permit conduction in the peripheral neural structure when the subject is in a second activity state by applying a reversing stimulus configured to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject;

repeating the steps of producing a reversible conduction block in a peripheral neural structure of a subject while the subject is in a first activity state and reversing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject to permit conduction in the peripheral neural structure when the subject is in a second activity state;

determining that producing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject while the subject is in the first activity state results in a desired effect in the subject; and

producing a non-reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first activity state and the second activity state are physical activity states of the subject.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first activity state and the second activity state are overall physical activity states of the subject.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first activity state and the second activity state are physical activity states of a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure.

25. A method of modulating neural activity comprising the steps of:

producing a reversible conduction block in a peripheral neural structure of a subject with a chemical blocking agent while the subject is in a first activity state;

reversing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject to permit conduction in the peripheral neural structure when the subject is in a second activity state by applying a reversing stimulus configured to counter the chemical blocking agent used to produce the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject; and

repeating the steps of producing a reversible conduction block in a peripheral neural structure of a subject while the subject is in a first activity state and reversing the reversible conduction block in the peripheral neural structure of the subject to permit conduction in the peripheral neural structure when the subject is in a second activity state.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the overall activity of the subject is lower in the first activity state than in the second activity state.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein a use of a body portion innervated by the peripheral neural structure by the subject is lower in the first activity state than in the second activity state.