Neural electrode treatment
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a vagus nerve of a patient; and
a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes;
said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, wherein each of said first and second waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials;
wherein the parameters comprise an “
on”
period and an “
off”
period, wherein said “
on”
period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from a neural block induced by said cycle; and
wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase with each other such that during each “
on”
period a cycle of one of said waveforms occurs during the delay period of the other of said waveforms.
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Abstract
An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms.
204 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a vagus nerve of a patient; and a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes; said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, wherein each of said first and second waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials;
wherein the parameters comprise an “
on”
period and an “
off”
period, wherein said “
on”
period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from a neural block induced by said cycle; and
wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase with each other such that during each “
on”
period a cycle of one of said waveforms occurs during the delay period of the other of said waveforms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for the treatment of a disorder susceptible to down-regulation of neural activity, said method comprising:
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identifying a first vagal nerve and a second vagal nerve for down-regulation to advance said treatment; placing a first electrode on said first vagal nerve and a second electrode on said vagal second nerve; electrically connecting a signal generator to each of said first and second electrodes;
said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, wherein each of said first and second waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials;
wherein the parameters comprise an “
on”
period and an “
off”
period, wherein said “
on”
period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse and wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from a neural block induced by said cycle; and
wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase with each other such that during each “
on”
period a cycle of one of said waveforms occurs during a delay period of the other of said waveforms; andactivating said signal generator to apply said waveforms to said first and second nerves.
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11. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a vagus nerve of a patient; and a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes; said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode; wherein each of said first and second waveforms comprises an “
on”
period and an “
off”
period, wherein said “
on”
period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein said cycle is selected to induce a neural block, and wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from said neural block; andsaid first and second waveforms are synchronized for a delay period of one of said waveforms to occur during a pulse of the other of said waveforms. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
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Original AssigneeEnteroMedics, Inc. (ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.)
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InventorsWeijand, Koen J., Knudson, Mark B., Donders, Adrianus P.
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Primary Examiner(s)Layno; Carl H
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Assistant Examiner(s)ANTHONY, JESSICA LYNN
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Application NumberUS11/205,415Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,658 DaysField of Search607/40, 607/66, 607 1- 3, 607/45, 607/46, 607 48- 50, 607 58- 63, 607 68- 74, 600/554US Class Current607/40CPC Class CodesA61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulati...A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesityA61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by va...A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulatio...
