Method and apparatus for improving the function of sensory cells

• US 6,032,074 A
• Filed: 11/24/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
• Original Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
• Inventors: Collins, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US08/979,453
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/40, 607/48, 607/50, 607/52
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/00 Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body heating or cooling means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses A47C21/00 ; massage, therapeutic baths A61H; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields or ultrasound A61N; electric heating elements H05B
• 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 1/3601 of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/00 Magnetotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/06 using light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

A method and system for enhancing the function of sensory cells. The method includes 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 system includes 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.

Claims

1. A system for effectively lowering the threshold of a nervous system sensory cell, comprising:

a signal processor for producing at least one bias signal;

input means for inputting said at least one bias signal to a sensory cell area associated with the sensory cell, wherein said signal process or produces the at least one bias signal causes the threshold of sensory cells to an externally applied signal in the sensory cell area to be exceeded thereby effectively lowering the threshold of said sensory cells; and

a controller for controlling the signal processor and input means.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transducer coupled to said controller for traducing an input stimulus to the sensory cell area into an electrical signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the transducer, signal processor and input means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller modulates each bias signal.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein each bias signal is a non-modulated signal.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises a distributed array of input devices.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal processor further comprises calibration means for determining an optimal level for a parameter of the bias signal.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the parameter comprises frequency.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the parameter comprises amplitude.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises at least one nerve cuff.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises at least one magnetic field stimulator.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises electrodes.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises at least one muscle stimulator, wherein each muscle stimulator stimulates a muscle thereby stimulating a sensory cell area with which the muscle is associated.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means comprises a tendon stimulator, wherein each tendon stimulator stimulates a tendon thereby stimulating a sensory cell area with which the tendon is associated.