Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation therapy

• US 9,005,102 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2012
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emkinetics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Emkinetics, Inc.
• Inventors: Burnett, Daniel R., Hermanson, Christopher, Ahlman, James H., Strul, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): KUHLMAN, CATHERINE BURK
• Application Number:
  US13/457,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20130072746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 600 9- 15, 607 2- 76, 607115-156, 601 15- 22, 606 32- 52
• US Class Current: 600/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/395 Details of stimulation, e.g. nerve stimulation to elicit EMG response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36031 using physiological parameters for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/004 specially adapted for a specific therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/008 for pain treatment or analgesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

Energy emitting systems are provided which include an adjustable conductive coil configured to generate a magnetic or electromagnetic field focused on a target nerve. The coil includes a central aperture which may be adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration having a radius greater than the radius of the first configuration. The adjustable or movable nature of the coil allows the conductive coil to conform to, accommodate, or be positioned on a particular anatomical structure of a patient to position the coil in proximity to the underlying target nerve. In certain embodiments, methods of magnetic induction therapy are provided which include positioning a conductive coil relative to a portion of a patient'"'"'s body by adjusting the central aperture of the coil such that the coil may conform to, accommodate or be positioned on the portion of the patient'"'"'s body in proximity to the underlying target nerve.

Claims

1. A method of performing electrical stimulation therapy to treat urinary incontinence in a patient, comprising:

positioning a first portion of a patient'"'"'s body relative to a microneedle electrode wherein the microneedle electrode is positioned on the skin of a patient;

passing a current through the microneedle electrode to deliver electrical energy through the skin such that the electrical energy stimulates the posterior tibial nerve or a branch thereof;

placing at least one sensor on a second portion of the body of the patient;

detecting stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve or a branch thereof utilizing the at least one sensor by detecting a signal that an afferent nerve has been stimulated;

receiving a signal from the sensor indicative of stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve or a branch thereof; and

whereby the detection is used in modulating the current via a controller in communication with the microneedle electrode to provide an optimal dosage of therapy to treat urinary incontinence.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein passing a current comprises passing the current through a plurality of microneedles.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein modulating comprises adjusting an amplitude, frequency, direction of the electrical stimulus, or firing sequence of the microneedle electrode.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein modulating comprises adjusting a position of the microneedle electrode relative to the first portion of the patient'"'"'s body to re-focus the electrical energy on the target nerve.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is comprised of a microneedle sensor applied to a skin surface.