SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERY FROM MOTOR CONTROL VIA STIMULATION TO A SUBSTITUTED SITE TO AN AFFECTED AREA

• US 20100049103A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Humbert, Ianessa, Ludlow, Chrsity, Poletto, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,579,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2039/005 by means of electromagnetic waves, e.g. I.R., U.V. rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/12 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/16 Physical interface with patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/04 neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/00 Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture chiropodists' instruments A61B17/54; for radiation therapy A61N5/0619
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/007 Stimulation by mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/06 Devices for heating or cooling such points within cell-life limits cauterisers, moxaburners, cryogenic apparatus A61B18/06; heating or cooling appliances for medical treatment of general areas of the human body A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition

Abstract

The disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for recovering motor control of an area in the body of a patient affected by a neurological disorder. In some embodiments, a device stimulates a substitute site for the affected area thereby recovering the motor control of the affected area, wherein the device is volitionally controlled by said patient.

Claims

1. A method for recovering motor control of an area in the body of a patient affected by a neurological disorder comprising stimulating a substitute site for said area thereby recovering the motor control of said affected area, wherein said stimulating of said substitute site is volitionally controlled by said patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said neurological disorder is related to a condition selected from the group consisting of brain trauma, stroke, Parkinson'"'"'s Disease, cerebral palsy, a tumor, birth defect, multiple sclerosis, ALS, supranuclear palsy and brain hemorrhage.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulating is selected from the group consisting of vibratory, tactile, pressure, electrical, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, visual, temperature and any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said stimulating is vibro-tactile.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said affected area is the area of the body responsible for swallowing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said area responsible for swallowing is the oropharyngeal area and said substitute site is the area of the throat over the larynx.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said patient controls said stimulation by activating a vibrator attached on the throat over the larynx of said patient.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said recovered motor control is volitional swallowing.

9. A method of reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia in patients with dysphagia comprising providing said patients with a means for volitionally controlling swallowing, said means comprising a device that stimulates the throat area over the larynx, wherein said device can be activated by said patient.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said device is a vibrator.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said vibrator provides electrical stimulation at a frequency of about 30 to 50 Hz.

12. A method of controlling swallowing in patients with dysphagia, said method comprising providing said patients with a means for volitionally controlling swallowing, said means comprising a device that stimulates the throat over the larynx, wherein said device can be activated by said patient and wherein said stimulation elicits reflex swallowing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said patient activates said device immediately prior to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said patient has undergone volitional motor control training.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said patient activates said device by means of a switch.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said switch is a button that can be pressed by said patient.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said switch communicates with said device via a mechanical connection or telemetric connection.

18. A method of treating patients with speech motor control disorders comprising providing said patients with a device that stimulates the area of the throat over the larynx or on the jaw or face, wherein said device can be activated by said patient and wherein said stimulation elicits activity in muscles that control speech.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said speech motor control disorder is stuttering or laryngeal dystonia.

20. A system for training a patient to swallow, said system comprising fitting said patient with a device that stimulates the area of the throat over the larynx;

providing said patient with a means for activating said device; and

teaching said patient to activate said device immediately before attempting to swallow.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said means for activating said device is a control switch.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the control switch is a button that can be pressed by said patient.