Non-invasive neuromodulation (NINM) for rehabilitation of brain function

• US 8,849,407 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2009
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neurorehabilitation, LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neurorehabilitation, LLC
• Inventors: Danilov, Yuri P., Tyler, Mitchell E., Kaczmarek, Kurt A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alter, Alyssa M
• Application Number:
  US12/348,301
• Time in Patent Office: 2,095 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/134, 607/140, 607/139, 607/42, 607/46, 607/115, 607/135
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 21/00 Massage devices for cavities of the body , e.g. nose, ears and anus for the genitals A61H19/00; Vibration or percussion related aspects A61H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0548 Oral electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36078 Inducing or controlling sleep or relaxation non-implantable stimulator A61M21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36092 Mental training
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36096 Mood disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety or panic disorder
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/361 Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36103 Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

In a patient suffering from neural impairment, stimulation is provided to sensory surfaces of the face and/or neck, or more generally to areas of the body that stimulate the trigeminal nerve, while performing an activity intended to stimulate a brain function to be rehabilitated. The simulation may then be continued after the performance of the activity has ceased. It has been found that the patient'"'"'s performance of the activity is then improved after stimulation has ceased. Moreover, it tends to improve to a greater extent, and/or for a longer time, when the post-activity stimulation is applied, as compared to when post-activity stimulation is not applied.

Claims

1. A method for assisting neurorehabilitation in a patient including the steps of:

a. simultaneously;

(1) providing stimulation to at least one of the trigeminal nerve and the facial nerve via the patient'"'"'s skin, and

(2) having the patient engage in a first physical movement wherein the patient'"'"'s ability to perform the first physical movement is hindered by impairment of the user'"'"'s nervous system;

b. ceasing stimulation to the patient'"'"'s skin for a period of time; and

c. repeating the foregoing step a., wherein the patient engages in one or more of;

(1) the first physical movement at a different level of intensity, and

(2) a second physical movement different from the first physical movement.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation is directed by a pattern generator which provides the stimulation at a regular or random frequency of pulses, wherein the frequency is independent of events occurring during delivery of the pulses.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation is provided to the patient'"'"'s skin at the patient'"'"'s face.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the physical movements require the patient'"'"'s control of the patient'"'"'s posture and/or gait.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the stimulation is applied via at least one row of electrodes, each row including three electrodes arrayed in at least substantially equal intervals across the patient'"'"'s skin.

6. A method for assisting neurorehabilitation in a patient including the steps of:

a. simultaneously;

(1) providing stimulation to the patient'"'"'s skin at the patient'"'"'s face, and

(2) having the patient engage in a first physical movement wherein the patient'"'"'s ability to perform the first physical movement is hindered by impairment of the user'"'"'s nervous system;

b. ceasing stimulation to the patient'"'"'s skin for a period of time; and

c. repeating the foregoing step a., wherein the patient engages in one or more of;

(1) the first physical movement at a different level of intensity, and

(2) a second physical movement different from the first physical movement

d. having the patient perform the first physical movement at low intensity, then high intensity, and then moderate intensity.