Spinal cord implant systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A method of restoring or enhancing motor function to a patient with a spinal cord injury, the method comprising:
- receiving signals originating in at least one of a brain and a central nervous system of the patient at a superior electrode array implanted in the spinal cord superior to the spinal cord injury;
transmitting signals from the superior electrode array to an inferior electrode array implanted in the spinal cord inferior to the spinal cord injury in response to the nervous signals;
receiving the transmitted signals with the inferior electrode array; and
stimulating the spinal cord in response to the received signals to restore or enhance motor function of the patient.
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Abstract
A system for transferring spinal cord signals comprises a superior electrode and an inferior electrode. The superior electrode interfaces with a first portion of a spinal cord of a human body; and the inferior electrode interfaces with a second portion of the spinal cord. The superior electrode has at least one superior contact for receiving signals from the first portion of the spinal cord to transmit to the inferior electrode; and the inferior electrode has at least one inferior contact for transmitting signals received from the superior electrode to the second portion of the spinal cord.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of restoring or enhancing motor function to a patient with a spinal cord injury, the method comprising:
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receiving signals originating in at least one of a brain and a central nervous system of the patient at a superior electrode array implanted in the spinal cord superior to the spinal cord injury; transmitting signals from the superior electrode array to an inferior electrode array implanted in the spinal cord inferior to the spinal cord injury in response to the nervous signals; receiving the transmitted signals with the inferior electrode array; and stimulating the spinal cord in response to the received signals to restore or enhance motor function of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for treating a patient with a spinal cord injury, the method comprising:
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(a) implanting a superior electrode array in a spinal cord superior to a spinal cord injury site; (b) implanting an inferior electrode array in the spinal cord inferior to the spinal cord injury site; (c) evaluating which electrodes in the superior and inferior electrode arrays are functional; and (d) placing the superior electrode array in electrical communication with the inferior electrode array. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification