SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PAIRED PLASTICITY

• US 20100003656A1
• Filed: 06/15/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Kilgard, Michael, Mclntyre, Christa, Engineer, Navzer, Rosellini, Will, Cauller, Larry
• Granted Patent: US 9,089,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/262
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0016 by the smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0072 with application of electrical currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0077 with application of chemical or pharmacological stimulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3515 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/08 Other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/65 Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36034 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 : adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 : Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 : Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36092 : Mental training
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/361 : Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36103 : Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 : with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 : Timing, e.g. stimulation onset
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 : Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0622 : Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 : Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 : Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 : for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/75 : Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Claims

1. A therapeutic system comprises:

a neural stimulator providing stimulation to a nerve during a stimulation period;

a training source providing training during a training period; and

a timing control communicably connected to said neural stimulator and said training source, wherein said timing control instructs said neural stimulator to provide stimulation to a nerve so that the stimulation period is during said training period.

2. The system of claim 1, such that the stimulation period begins before the beginning of said training period.

3. The system of claim 1, such that the stimulation period begins after the beginning of said training period.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said nerve is a vagus nerve.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein stimulation of said nerve affects the nucleus basalis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein stimulation of said nerve affects the amygdala.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said training comprises an audible sound.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said training comprises visual information.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said training comprises physical motion.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said training comprises chemical therapy.

11. A method of training comprising:

providing training during a training period;

stimulating a nerve during a stimulation period, wherein said stimulation period occurs during said training period; and

producing measurable plasticity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said training is therapeutic.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said training is educational.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said nerve is stimulated electrically.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said nerve is stimulated optically.

16. A stimulation pairing system comprises:

a neurostimulator providing stimulation to a nerve; and

a timing control communicably connected to said neurostimulator, wherein the timing control initiates stimulation of said nerve during a training period.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said timing control is communicably connected to said neurostimulator by wires.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said timing control is communicably connected to said neurostimulator by inductive coils.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein said stimulation is a train of 0.8 milliamp electrical pulses.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said electrical pulses are at 30 Hz.