Blocking exogenous action potentials by an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device to treat a medical condition in a patient, the implantable medical device comprising:
- a cathode and an anode configured to be coupled to an electrical signal generator and to be coupled to a cranial nerve of the patient;
a third electrode configured to be implanted within the patient and configured to be coupled to the electrical signal generator;
wherein the electrical signal generator is configured to deliver a first electrical signal to the cathode and to the anode during a first time period, wherein the first electrical signal causes depolarization of a first portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the cathode and causes hyperpolarization of a second portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the anode, andwherein the electrical signal generator is configured to deliver a second electrical signal to the anode and to the third electrode during a second time period following the first time period, wherein the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve caused by the first electrical signal persists when the second electrical signal is delivered and delivery of the second electrical signal continues the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical device (IMD) to treat a medical condition in a patient comprises an electrical signal generator; a cathode and an anode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and a cranial nerve of the patient; and a third electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and implanted within the patient'"'"'s body; wherein the electrical signal generator is capable of generating and delivering at least one electrical signal effective at the anode to block at least a sufficient portion of action potentials induced by the at least one electrical signal in the cranial nerve proximate the cathode to reduce a side effect of said induced action potentials.
533 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device to treat a medical condition in a patient, the implantable medical device comprising:
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a cathode and an anode configured to be coupled to an electrical signal generator and to be coupled to a cranial nerve of the patient; a third electrode configured to be implanted within the patient and configured to be coupled to the electrical signal generator; wherein the electrical signal generator is configured to deliver a first electrical signal to the cathode and to the anode during a first time period, wherein the first electrical signal causes depolarization of a first portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the cathode and causes hyperpolarization of a second portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the anode, and wherein the electrical signal generator is configured to deliver a second electrical signal to the anode and to the third electrode during a second time period following the first time period, wherein the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve caused by the first electrical signal persists when the second electrical signal is delivered and delivery of the second electrical signal continues the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, the method comprising:
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delivering a first electrical signal during a first time period to a cathode and an anode of the implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device is coupled to a cranial nerve of the patient, wherein the first electrical signal causes depolarization of a first portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the cathode and causes hyperpolarization of a second portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the anode, and delivering a second electrical signal to the anode and to a third electrode of the implantable medical device during a second time period following the first time period, wherein the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve caused by the first electrical signal persists when the second electrical signal is delivered and delivery of the second electrical signal continues the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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delivering a first electrical signal during a first time period to an anode and a cathode of an implantable medical device coupled to a cranial nerve of a patient, wherein the first electrical signal causes depolarization of a first portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the cathode and causes hyperpolarization of a second portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the anode, and delivering a second electrical signal to the anode and to a third electrode of the implantable medical device during a second time period following the first time period, wherein the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve caused by the first electrical signal persists when the second electrical signal is delivered, and wherein delivery of the second electrical signal is effective to block action potentials that would, if unblocked, stimulate muscle activity proximate to a larynx of the patient.
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20. A system comprising:
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a cathode and an anode configured to be coupled to an electrical signal generator and to be coupled to a cranial nerve of a patient; an electrode configured to be implanted within the patient and to be coupled to the electrical signal generator; wherein the electrical signal generator is configured to deliver a first electrical signal to the anode and the cathode during a first time period, wherein the first electrical signal causes depolarization of a first portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the cathode and causes hyperpolarization of a second portion of the cranial nerve proximate to the anode; wherein the electrical signal generator is configured to deliver a second electrical signal to the anode and to the electrode during a second time period following the first time period, wherein the hyperpolarization of the second portion of the cranial nerve caused by the first electrical signal persists when the second electrical signal is delivered, and wherein delivery of the second electrical signal is effective to block action potentials that would, if unblocked, stimulate muscle activity proximate to a larynx of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification