Modulated high frequency tissue modification
First Claim
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1. A method of altering a function of tissue in a patient comprising:
- generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range; and
applying the amplitude modulated signal to the tissue to alter a function of the tissue without heating the tissue to temperatures lethal to the tissue.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for altering a function of tissue in a patient. An electromagnetic signal generated by a signal generator is applied to the tissue to be altered through an electrode. The electromagnetic signal has at least one frequency component above the physiologic stimulation frequency range at an intensity sufficient to produce an alteration of the tissue and a waveform that inhibits temperature elevation to the lethal temperature range of the tissue. Both externally coupled and fully implanted electrode and signal generator systems can be used at tissue sites in various parts of the body.
1062 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method of altering a function of tissue in a patient comprising:
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generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range; and
applying the amplitude modulated signal to the tissue to alter a function of the tissue without heating the tissue to temperatures lethal to the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for altering a function of tissue in a patient comprising:
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an electrode adapted to apply a signal to the tissue; and
a signal generator coupled to the electrode, the signal generator adapted to generate an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, wherein application of the amplitude modulated signal to the tissue alters a function of the tissue while inhibiting heating of the tissue to temperatures lethal to the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of causing a patient to experience a reduction in cardiac arrhythmia by altering a function of the patient'"'"'s cardiac tissue, said method comprising applying an amplitude modulated signal to the cardiac tissue, said amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range to alter a function of the tissue causing the patient to experience a reduction in cardiac arrhythmia and pain, without raising the temperature of the cardiac tissue to levels lethal to the cardiac tissue.
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44. A method of altering a function of neural tissue in the spinal cord of a patient comprising:
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percutaneously placing an electrode in the spinal cord of the patient;
using a signal generator to generate an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulating frequency range, the at least one frequency component adapted to produce an alteration of the function of the neural tissue in the spinal cord of the patient, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain, while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of the neural tissue in the spinal cord when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through the electrode; and
transmitting the amplitude modulating signal from the signal generator to the electrode.
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45. A method of altering a function of tissue in joints between bones of a patient comprising:
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inserting an electrode percutaneously into the joints between bones of the patient and in contact with tissue in the joints;
generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, the at least one frequency component adapted to alter the tissue in the joints between the bones, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction of pain, while producing the average power deposition in the tissue between the joints corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of the tissue in the joints when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the tissue between the joints through the electrode; and
transmitting the amplitude modulated signal to the electrode.
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46. A method for reducing pain originating from nerves in a patient'"'"'s teeth comprising:
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placing an electrode near the nerves;
generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulating frequency range, the at least one frequency component adapted to alter a function of the nerves, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain originating from the nerves, while producing an average power deposition in the nerves corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of the nerves when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the nerves through the electrode; and
transmitting the signal to the electrode.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeCovidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
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Original AssigneeSherwood Services AG
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InventorsCosman, Eric R., Rittman, William J. III, Sluijter, Menno E.
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Primary Examiner(s)Sykes, Angela D.
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Assistant Examiner(s)CARTER, RYAN CHRISTOPHER
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Application NumberUS09/356,669Time in Patent Office694 DaysField of Search607/89, 607/99-102, 607/113, 607/148, 600/373, 600/547, 600/549, 606/34, 606/41US Class Current607/100CPC Class CodesA61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes pe...A61N 1/36021 for treatment of painA61N 1/36071 PainA61N 1/403 for thermotherapy, e.g. hyp...
