METHOD TO TREAT PAIN THROUGH ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF NERVES

• US 20130138193A1
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Durand, Dominique M., Wodlinger, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,037,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency

Abstract

Methods of treating pain are disclosed, wherein a non-pulsed, low-frequency electrical current is applied to the nerve carrying the pain signals in order to suppress transmission of those signals. In desired embodiments, the current is applied in a direction transverse to the nerve axis. Such currents have been found not to induce motor-neuron recruitment, meaning these methods can treat pain without causing muscle spasm or other muscular responses. A cuff for applying such a current transverse to the nerve axis is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for treatment of pain, comprising transmitting a non-pulsed electrical current through a peripheral nerve in a patient in need of such treatment, said current having a frequency in the range of 10 to 2000 Hz.

2. The method of claim 1, said frequency being in the range of 10 to 500 Hz.

3. The method of claim 1, said frequency being in the range of 10 to 150 Hz.

4. The method of claim 1, said frequency being about 130 Hz.

5. The method of claim 1, said current having a charge-balanced waveform.

6. The method of claim 1, said current having an analog waveform that exhibits a rise time between neutral and peak amplitude of at least 10 μ

s.

7. The method of claim 6, said rise time being at least 20 μ

s.

8. The method of claim 6, said analog waveform comprising a sinusoid.

9. The method of claim 6, said analog waveform comprising a declining segment that exhibits an instantaneous step from peak amplitude to neutral.

10. The method of claim 1, said current having a digital waveform comprising a series of discrete steps whose sum approximates an analog waveform having a rise time between neutral and peak amplitude of at least 10 μ

s.

11. The method of claim 10, said frequency being outside the range of 20 to 40 Hz.

12. The method of claim 10, said rise time being at least 1000 μ

s.

13. The method of claim 10, said waveform approximating a sinusoid.

14. The method of claim 1, said current having an amplitude in the range of greater than 0.4 up to 5 mA.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said current is applied to said nerve in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said nerve.

16. The method of claim 15, said current being applied diametrically through said nerve.

17. The method of claim 15, said current being effective to inhibit or prevent transmission of pain signals through C-fibers in said nerve but having negligible effect on transmission or activation characteristics of motor and higher-sensory nerve fibers in said nerve.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising simultaneously transmitting a second current, independent of said non-pulsed current, through said nerve to suppress transmission of motor signals at the same time as said treatment of pain.

19. The method of claim 1, said non-pulsed electrical current consisting of non-pulsed waveforms.

20. A cuff for transmitting a current transverse to a nerve longitudinal axis, comprising:

a substrate comprising a strip of dielectric material; and

respective anode and cathode electrodes embedded in or laminated to said substrate;

said electrodes being positioned on said substrate opposite one another with respect to a hinge portion of the substrate;

said substrate being configured to bend at said hinge portion to enclose said nerve at a location where the cuff is applied so as to position said anode and cathode electrodes substantially diametrically opposed to one another about said nerve.

21. The cuff of claim 20, said substrate comprising silicone, each of said electrodes comprising metallic foil.

22. The cuff of claim 20, each of said electrodes being recessed in said dielectric material to embed edges of said electrodes in said dielectric material.

23. The cuff of claim 20, each of said electrodes being substantially planar and having lateral dimensions that extend at least to a width of said nerve.