System for transdermal chemical modulation of neural activity

• US 8,233,976 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Soovu Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Dacey, Ralph G. Jr., Della Rocca, Gregory J., Derdeyn, Colin P., Dowling, Joshua L., Goodall, Eleanor V., Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Leuthardt, Eric C., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Smith, Michael A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H., Zipfel, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US12/214,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20090149897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/46, 607/117, 607/118
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4821 Determining level or depth of anaesthesia A61B5/1106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/00 Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body heating or cooling means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses A47C21/00 ; massage, therapeutic baths A61H; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields or ultrasound A61N; electric heating elements H05B
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0244 : Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 : Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/10 : Wearable devices, e.g. garments, glasses or masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 : Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 : by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0092 : using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic vibrations, e.g. phonophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 : adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 : of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 : specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 : controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 : using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0412 : Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0428 : Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 : Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 : Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 : Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 : for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 : for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36103 : Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 : using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 : Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 : in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 : for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0026 : Stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Systems for transdermal delivery of chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of chemical blocking agents and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A neural modulation system comprising:

a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure;

a signal processing portion configured to;

distinguish a low activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a higher activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and

generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the low activity state; and

a chemical blocking agent source configured to be worn on the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal.

2. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on a wrap adapted to be positioned around at least a portion of the body of the subject.

3. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on a bandage or patch configured to be adhered or secured to at least a portion of skin, tissue or mucous membrane of the subject.

4. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on one of a bracelet, anklet, or cuff configured to be worn on a limb of the subject.

5. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on one of a collar or necklace configured to be worn on a neck of the subject.

6. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on a fitted garment or item of clothing configured to be worn by the subject.

7. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the signal processing portion is configured to be located at a location remote from the body of the subject.

8. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the signal processing portion is configured to be worn on the body of the subject.

9. The neural modulation system of claim 8, wherein the signal processing portion is packaged with the chemical blocking agent source in a package configured to be worn on the body of the subject.

10. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes an energy source.

11. The neural modulation system of claim 10, wherein the energy source includes at least one of a heat source, an electrical current source, an electrical voltage source, an acoustic energy source or an ultrasonic energy source.

12. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a microneedle array.

13. The neural modulation system of claim 1, wherein the signal indicative of an activity state is a signal indicative of a physical activity state, and wherein the low activity state and the higher activity state are physical activity states.

14. The neural modulation system of claim 13, further comprising a sensor operatively connected to the signal input structure and configured to generate the signal indicative of the physical activity state of the at least a portion of a body of the subject responsive to physical activity of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure.

15. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor.

16. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a force sensor.

17. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.

18. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a gyro.

19. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a switch.

20. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a piezoelectric device.

21. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes an electrical sensor.

22. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a magnetic electrical sensor.

23. The neural modulation system of claim 14, wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.

24. A neural modulation system comprising:

a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure;

a signal processing portion configured to;

distinguish a low activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a higher activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and

generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the low activity state; and

a chemical blocking agent source configured to be positioned beneath the at least a portion of the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal.

25. The neural modulation system of claim 24, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to be located in or on a chair.

26. The neural modulation system of claim 24, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to be located in or on a bed.

27. The neural modulation system of claim 24, wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to be located in or on one of a pad or cushion.

28. The neural modulation system of claim 24, wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes at least one of an iontophoresis system, a microneedle array, a sonophoresis system, a thermal energy source, an electrical field source or a magnetic field source.