Pain modulation systems and methods

• US 8,774,925 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2010
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theranica Bio-Electronics, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: David Yarnitsky
• Inventors: Yarnitsky, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US13/377,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20120083858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 607/46, 607/62
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5005 for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5041 control is restricted to certain individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0502 Skin piercing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36075 Headache or migraine

Abstract

Systems and methods of conducing a conditioning modulation of pain perception are disclosed. The system includes a power source, an impulse generator, a controller and at least one electrode for the delivery of a therapeutic stimulation.

Claims

1. A method of conducing a conditioning modulation of pain perception (CPM), said method comprises:

[a] identifying a patient;

[b] determining the CPM profile of said patient, comprising;

[i] subjecting said patient to a conditioning stimulus (CS);

[ii] subjecting said patient to a test stimuli (TS), jointly and severally to said conditioning stimulus (CS), and [iii] rating the intensities of pain sensations evoked by said TS, respectively with and without said CS; and

[iv] evaluating the difference between said ratings obtained with and without said CS;

thereby assessing the susceptibility of said patient to CPM therapy;

[c] selecting at least one site suitable for the delivery of a therapeutic CPM stimulation;

wherein said selection is performed in accordance with the Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control (DNIC) paradigm;

[d] applying said therapeutic CPM stimulation to at least one said suitable site;

thereby conducing the conditioning modulation of pain perception (CPM) by said subject, wherein said selecting at least one location suitable for the delivery of a therapeutic CPM stimulation comprises;

i. diagnosing said patient for a non-localized pain;

ii. Arbitrarily selecting at least one dermatome;

iii. Applying a therapeutic CPM stimulation to said dermatome;

iv. Empirically evaluating the conduced CPM effect;

v. preselecting, in accordance with said DNIC paradigm and based upon said empirical evaluation, a plurality of dermatomes, application of stimulation to which is putatively to conduce a CPM effect; and

vi. Selecting from said plurality of preselected dermatomes at least one dermatome overlaying a site that physically/anatomically facilitates an efficient application of said CPM stimulation and/or implantation of an electrical electrode therefore.