Method and nerve stimulator using simultaneous electrical and optical signals
First Claim
1. A method for triggering a response in a nerve and for in vivo optical-electrical stimulation of a nerve action potential (NAP) in neuronal tissue of a patient, the method comprising:
- applying a sub-threshold-for-stimulation amount electrical current through an area of the neuronal tissue; and
applying a pulse of optical energy to a subportion of the area of the neuronal tissue to which the electrical current is applied in order to stimulate a nerve action potential in one or more neurons of the neuronal tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for triggering a response in a nerve and for in vivo optical-electrical stimulation of a nerve action potential (NAP) in neuronal tissue of a patient, the method comprising:
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applying a sub-threshold-for-stimulation amount electrical current through an area of the neuronal tissue; and applying a pulse of optical energy to a subportion of the area of the neuronal tissue to which the electrical current is applied in order to stimulate a nerve action potential in one or more neurons of the neuronal tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for triggering a response in a nerve and for in vivo optical-electrical stimulation of a nerve action potential (NAP) in neuronal tissue of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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means for applying a sub-threshold-for-stimulation amount electrical current through an area of the neuronal tissue; and means for applying a pulse of optical energy to a subportion of the area of the neuronal tissue to which the electrical current is applied in order to stimulate a nerve action potential in one or more neurons of the neuronal tissue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for triggering a response in a nerve and for in vivo optical stimulation of a nerve action potential (NAP) in neuronal tissue of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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an electrical-stimulation circuit that applies a sub-threshold-for-stimulation amount electrical current through an area of the neuronal tissue; and an optical-stimulation device that applies a pulse of optical energy to a subportion of the area of the neuronal tissue to which the electrical current is applied in order to stimulate a nerve action potential in one or more neurons of the neuronal tissue. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification