Method to treat pain through electrical stimulation of nerves

• US 9,037,248 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Durand, Dominique M., Wodlinger, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Alter, Alyssa M
• Application Number:
  US13/814,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20130138193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 607/118, 607/46
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency

Abstract

Methods of treating pain are disclosed, wherein a non-pulsed, low-frequency electrical current is applied to the nerve carrying the pain signals in order to suppress transmission of those signals. In desired embodiments, the current is applied in a direction transverse to the nerve axis. Such currents have been found not to induce motor-neuron recruitment, meaning these methods can treat pain without causing muscle spasm or other muscular responses. A cuff for applying such a current transverse to the nerve axis is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for treatment of pain, comprising:

generating, by a power supply device, a non-pulsed electrical current comprising a frequency between 10 Hz and 2000 Hz and a rise time from 0 to a peak amplitude of at least 10 μ

s;

supplying the non-pulsed electrical current to at least two electrodes at diametrically opposed locations about the peripheral nerve;

applying, by the at least two electrodes, the non-pulsed electrical current through the peripheral nerve in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the peripheral nerve; and

inhibiting conduction of C-fibers in the peripheral nerve based on the application of the non-pulsed electrical current to prevent the transmission of pain signals,

wherein motor nerve fibers and higher-sensory nerve fibers in the peripheral nerve are not substantially activated based on the application of the non-pulsed electrical current.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency is between 10 Hz and 500 Hz.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency is between 10 Hz and 150 Hz.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency is about 130 Hz.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises a charge-balanced waveform.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises an analog waveform that exhibits a rise time between neutral and peak amplitude of at least 10 μ

s.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the rise time is at least 20 μ

s.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the analog waveform comprises a sinusoid.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the analog waveform comprises a declining segment that exhibits an instantaneous step from peak amplitude to neutral.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises a digital waveform comprising a series of discrete steps whose sum approximates an analog waveform having a rise time between neutral and peak amplitude of at least 10 μ

s.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the frequency is between 10 and 20 Hz or at least 40 Hz.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the rise time is at least 1000 μ

s.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the digital waveform approximates a sinusoid.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises an amplitude between 0.4 mA and 5 mA.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising simultaneously applying a second current, independent from the non-pulsed electrical current, through the peripheral nerve to inhibit or suppress transmission of motor signals through motor fibers in the peripheral nerve.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current consisting of one or more non-pulsed electrical waveforms.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises a triangular waveform.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises a trapezoidal waveform.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical current comprises at least one of a logarithmic waveform and an exponential waveform.