Systems and methods for neuromodulation for treatment of pain and other disorders associated with nerve conduction

• US 8,989,859 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2014
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Deem, Mark E., Gifford, Hanson III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavert, Nicole F
• Application Number:
  US14/162,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/154, 422/81
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0412 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided, for selective destruction or temporary disruption of nerves and/or conduction pathways in a mammalian body for the treatment of pain and other disorders. Apparatus comprises catheters having electrodes for targeting and affecting nerve tissue at a cellular level to reversible and irreversible nerve portion and incapacitation.

Claims

1. A non-invasive method for treating a disorder in a human patient, the method comprising:

delivering energy from an electrode external to the patient to target nerves running along an artery of the patient,

wherein the delivered energy is sufficient to disrupt nerve function of the target nerves at a cellular level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering energy from an electrode external to the patient comprises delivering energy from an electrode in physical contact with skin of the patient.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering energy from an electrode external to the patient comprises delivering energy from more than one location external to the patient.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivered energy is sufficient to result in the death of a cell.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivered energy selectively disrupts certain cells and not others.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the cells that are not disrupted comprise part of a wall of the adjacent artery.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivered energy results in apoptosis of the target nerve cells.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivered energy permeabilizes a cell membrane of the target nerve cells.