Method and apparatus for altering neural tissue function

• US 5,983,141 A
• Filed: 06/27/1996
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Radionics, Inc. (Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Cosman, Eric R., Rittman, William J. III, Sluijter, Menno E.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carter, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US08/671,927
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 607/100-102, 607/89, 607/99, 607/113, 607/148, 606/34, 606/41, 600/547, 600/549, 600/373
• US Class Current: 607/100
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia

Abstract

A method and apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient. An electromagnetic signal is applied to the neural tissue through an electrode. The electromagnetic signal has a frequency component above the physiological stimulation frequency range and an intensity sufficient to produce an alteration of the neural tissue, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain, and a waveform that prevents lethal temperature elevation of the neural tissue during application of the electromagnetic signal to the neural tissue.

Claims

1. An apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising:

a) an electrode adapted to apply an amplitude modulated signal to the neural tissue of the patient;

b) a signal generator that generates an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain and being produced at least in part by said at least one frequency component above said physiological stimulation frequency range; and

,

c) an electromagnetic coupling between said signal generator and said electrode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a modulation amplitude control that adjusts the amplitude of the signal modulation; and

,

a duty cycle control that adjusts a ratio of signal ON time to signal OFF time.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amplitude modulated signal has a peak voltage in the range of 10-30 volts with a waveform having a total period of one second with an ON time in the range of 10-30 milliseconds and a corresponding OFF time of 990-970 milliseconds.

4. A method of altering a function of neural tissue in a patient, comprising:

a) by an electrode, applying an amplitude modulated signal to the neural tissue of the patient;

b) by a signal generator, generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain and being produced at least in part by said at least one frequency component above said physiological stimulation frequency range; and

c) electromagnetically coupling said signal generator to said electrode.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

by a modulation amplitude control, adjusting the amplitude of the signal modulation; and

,

by a duty cycle control, adjusting a ratio of signal ON time to signal OFF time.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the amplitude modulated signal has a peak voltage in the range of 10-30 volts with a waveform having a total period of one second with an ON time in the range of 10-30 milliseconds and a corresponding OFF time of 990-970 milliseconds.