Method and apparatus for utilizing amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation signals for neurostimulation and treatment of neurological disorders using electrical stimulation
First Claim
1. A method for providing external electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder by electrically stimulating and treating neurological tissue of a region of a brain, the method comprising:
- generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of tissue located between external EEG sensors placed on a scalp and the neurological tissue of the region of the brain being stimulated, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment; and
transmitting the AMPWM signal from a neurostimulation device to the neurological tissue of the region of the brain being stimulated via the external EEG sensors placed on the scalp.
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Abstract
A computing device-controlled system is described for the generation of amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signals for use in treating neurological dysfunction via cranial neurostimulation, where the AMPWM signal is specifically designed to minimize the electrical impedance of the tissues of the head. A low-frequency carrier signal is determined for the AMPWM signal by measuring EEG activity at a reference site or sites, generally corresponding with the location of suspected brain dysfunction. Carrier signal frequency is variably related to critical frequency components of the EEG power spectral density, determined from statistical analysis of amplitudes and variability, and dynamically changed as a function of time to prevent entrainment. The AMPWM signal is presented to a subject via a plurality of neurostimulation delivery modes for therapeutic use.
42 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for providing external electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder by electrically stimulating and treating neurological tissue of a region of a brain, the method comprising:
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generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal component is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of tissue located between external EEG sensors placed on a scalp and the neurological tissue of the region of the brain being stimulated, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment; and transmitting the AMPWM signal from a neurostimulation device to the neurological tissue of the region of the brain being stimulated via the external EEG sensors placed on the scalp. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing external electrical stimulation and treatment for a disorder by electrically stimulating and treating neurological tissue of a region of a brain, the method comprising:
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determining a voltage at least one reference site on a scalp; generating an amplitude-modulated pulse-width modulation (AMPWM) signal, the AMPWM signal including a high frequency signal component and a low frequency signal component, wherein the high frequency signal is amplitude-modulated and pulse-width modulated, wherein the high frequency signal component has a sufficiently high frequency to enable the AMPWM signal to penetrate high impedance portions of the tissue located between the external EEG sensors on the scalp and the neurological tissue of the region of the brain, wherein the low frequency signal component is of sufficiently low frequency to provide the electrical stimulation and treatment, and wherein the low frequency signal component dynamically varies in frequency over time; generating an electrical stimulation and treatment signal from the AMPWM signal; applying an electrical signal with characteristics to minimize signal attenuation due to the impedance of the tissue located between the external EEG sensors on the scalp and the neurological tissue of the region of the brain being stimulated; and transmitting the electrical stimulation and treatment signal to the neurological tissue of the region of the brain being stimulated via the external EEG sensors placed on the scalp. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification