Vestibular stimulator

• US 7,933,654 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary (Foundation of The Massachusetts Eye and EAR Infirmary Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Eye And Ear Infirmary (Foundation of The Massachusetts Eye and EAR Infirmary Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gong, Wangsong, Rauch, Steven D., Wall, Conrad III, Merfeld, Daniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kahelin; Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/738,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,688 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/56, 607/137, 607/118, 607/62, 607/42
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for stimulating the vestibular system includes an actuator disposed to interact with the vestibular nerve and a controller for causing the actuator to interact with the vestibular nerve. The result of the interaction is that the brain receives a stationary signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for stimulating the vestibular system, the apparatus comprising:

an actuator for interacting with a vestibular nerve on which is present a non-stationary signal; and

a controller configured to cause the actuator to apply a signal to the vestibular nerve, the signal being selected to have a pulse-repetition frequency that causes neurons in the vestibular nerve to fire synchronously relative to each other at a maximum neuron firing rate;

wherein the actuator comprises an electrode in communication with the controller, the electrode being adapted for implantation proximate to the vestibular nerve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises a wireless receiver and the controller further comprises a wireless transmitter disposed for communication with the wireless receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an externally actuated switch in communication with the controller for enabling external control of an interaction with the vestibular nerve.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor adapted to detect a non-stationary signal on the vestibular nerve, the sensor being in communication with the controller for causing the controller to generate the signal in response to detection of the non-stationary signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a timer configured to disable application of the signal following lapse of a time interval.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a timer configured to disable application of the signal following lapse of a pre-selected time interval.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a timer configured to disable application of the signal following lapse of a user-selected time interval.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to generate a signal selected to cause a neuron to fire at a firing rate of approximately 450 Hz.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause a non-zero current on the order of a milliamp or less at the actuator.

10. An apparatus for alleviating symptoms of Meniere'"'"'s Disease, said apparatus comprising:

means for interacting with a vestibular nerve on which is present a non-stationary signal having a time-varying spectrum, the means for interacting being configured for implantation proximate to the vestibular nerve; and

means for causing the means for interacting to apply, to the vestibular nerve, a signal having a pulse-repetition frequency that causes neurons in the vestibular nerve to fire synchronously relative to each other at a maximum neuron firing rate.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for stopping application of the signal after lapse of an interval of time.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for causing the means for stopping application of the signal after lapse of a pre-selected interval of time.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for stopping application of the signal after lapse of a user-defined interval of time.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for causing the interacting means to apply, to the vestibular nerve, a signal is configured to cause application of a pulse train having a constant pulse repetition frequency of approximately 450 Hz.