System and method for providing recovery from muscle denervation
First Claim
1. An electrical stimulator system for augmenting recovery from muscle denervation, the electrical stimulator system comprising:
- a first electrode adjacent a proximal stump of a nerve and for emitting a signal having at least one variable parameter;
a second electrode providing a return path for the signal;
an electronic assembly for generating the signal;
the first electrode, the second electrode, and the electronic assembly adapted to be positioned within the body; and
said signal propagating through electrically conductive tissues of the body and evoking an action potential in at least one motor axon, the motor axon regenerating from the proximal stump, so as to augment recovery from muscle denervation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Recovery from peripheral nerve and nerve plexus injuries is usually slow and incomplete because the regenerating motor axons often head erroneously toward sensory receptors rather than muscle fibers and because the target muscles atrophy while waiting for the slow process of reinnervation. Research has suggested that electrical stimulation with different waveforms and temporal patterns at different times during the regeneration process might improve the clinical outcome through various mechanisms, but a practical means to deliver such stimulation has been lacking. This invention teaches the use of miniature electrical stimulators that can be implanted alongside the injured nerve(s) at the time of surgical repair and that can be powered and controlled by transmission of radiofrequency energy from outside the body so as to provide a variety of electrical stimuli at different times during the recovery process.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An electrical stimulator system for augmenting recovery from muscle denervation, the electrical stimulator system comprising:
- a first electrode adjacent a proximal stump of a nerve and for emitting a signal having at least one variable parameter;
a second electrode providing a return path for the signal;
an electronic assembly for generating the signal;
the first electrode, the second electrode, and the electronic assembly adapted to be positioned within the body; and
said signal propagating through electrically conductive tissues of the body and evoking an action potential in at least one motor axon, the motor axon regenerating from the proximal stump, so as to augment recovery from muscle denervation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a first electrode adjacent a proximal stump of a nerve and for emitting a signal having at least one variable parameter;
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14. An electrical stimulator system for augmenting recovery from muscle denervation, the electrical stimulator system comprising:
- a first electrode adjacent a proximal stump of a nerve and generating a signal having at least one variable parameter;
a second electrode for receiving the signal;
an electronic assembly for storing energy in a capacitance, said energy being a source for the signal;
the first electrode, the second electrode, and the electronic assembly adapted to be positioned within the body;
said signal propagating through electrically conductive tissues in the body and evoking an action potential in at least one motor axon, the motor axon regenerating from the proximal stump, so as to augment recovery from muscle denervation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- a first electrode adjacent a proximal stump of a nerve and generating a signal having at least one variable parameter;
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23. A system for treatment of a surgically repaired peripheral nerve to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the system comprising:
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an electronic device adapted to be implanted in the body in the vicinity of the joined stumps peripheral nerve, said electronic device producing electrical currents in the body that flow in part through the peripheral nerve; and
an electronic controller located outside the body for controlling the strength, duration and temporal patterning of said electrical currents.
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24. A method for treatment of injuries to a peripheral nerves in the vicinity of joined stumps to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the method comprising the step of:
applying a train of stimulating pulses through a first electrode positioned in the vicinity of the joined stumps at a predetermined intensity to evoke action potentials in at least one motor axon in one of the joined stump;
the pulses being applied at a time period after effecting nerve repair.- View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for determining the state of recovery from a peripheral nerve injury, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a train of stimulating pulses from an implanted device at a predetermined intensity to evoke action potentials in at least one motor axon in a proximal stump; and
effecting at least one of recording or quantifying at least one of an electromyogram or contractile forces produced by the muscle.
- applying a train of stimulating pulses from an implanted device at a predetermined intensity to evoke action potentials in at least one motor axon in a proximal stump; and
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30. A method for treatment of injuries to peripheral nerves to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the method comprising:
applying a non-pulsatile electrical field for a sufficient length of time after effecting nerve repair by means of a fully implanted device, wherein a capacitor prevents net direct current flow through electrodes and/or conductive tissue of the body, and said capacitor is discharged intermittently for resetting purposes.
Specification