Method and apparatus for improving the function of sensory cells
First Claim
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1. A method for enhancing the ability of a threshold-based sensory cell to respond to a subthreshold stimulus comprising the steps of:
- a) locating an area of the body associated with a sensory cell area;
b) generating a bias signal; and
,c) inputting the bias signal to the located area wherein the bias signal causes the threshold of sensory cells in the sensory cell area to be exceeded in response to the subthreshold stimulus thereby effectively lowering the threshold of the sensory cells in the sensory cell area, wherein the step of generating a bias signal further comprises the step of transducing the subthreshold stimulus to the sensory cell area into an electrical signal and generating the bias signal in response to the electrical signal.
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Abstract
Method and system for enhancing the function of sensory cells are disclosed. The method comprises locating a sensory cell area associated with the sensory cell whose function is to be enhanced and inputting a bias signal to the sensory cell area. The apparatus comprises a signal processor for producing a bias signal and an input device for inputting the bias signal to a sensory cell area associated with a sensory cell whose function is to be enhanced. Inputting the bias signal to a sensory cell area effectively lowers the threshold of sensory cells with which the sensory cell area is associated.
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39 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing the ability of a threshold-based sensory cell to respond to a subthreshold stimulus comprising the steps of:
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a) locating an area of the body associated with a sensory cell area; b) generating a bias signal; and
,c) inputting the bias signal to the located area wherein the bias signal causes the threshold of sensory cells in the sensory cell area to be exceeded in response to the subthreshold stimulus thereby effectively lowering the threshold of the sensory cells in the sensory cell area, wherein the step of generating a bias signal further comprises the step of transducing the subthreshold stimulus to the sensory cell area into an electrical signal and generating the bias signal in response to the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for enhancing the ability of a threshold-based sensory cell to respond to a subthreshold stimulus comprising the steps of:
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a) sensing the subthreshold stimulus to a sensory cell area; b) generating an electrical signal in response to the subthreshold stimulus; and c) inputting the electrical signal to the sensory cell area wherein the electrical signal causes the threshold of sensory cells in the sensory cell area to be exceeded thereby effectively lowering the threshold of the sensory cells in the sensory cell area. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification