Method and system for modulating neural activity
First Claim
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1. A neural modulation system comprising:
- a first signal input structure adapted to receive a user input signal indicative of an instruction from a user regarding operation of a neural modulation system to deliver a stimulus configured to reversibly modulate neural activity in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of a subject, the user input signal transmitted from a user input device adapted to receive a user input indicative of the instruction from the user;
a second signal input structure adapted to receive an activity signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a sensor operatively connected to the second signal input structure; and
a signal processing portion includingcircuitry for modifying operation of the neural modulation system responsive to receipt of the user input signal;
circuitry for distinguishing a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the activity signal received at the second signal input structure; and
circuitry for generating a stimulus control signal for driving production of the stimulus by a stimulus source, the stimulus configured to modulate neural activity in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state.
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Abstract
Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclically modulating neural activity in peripheral neural structures are disclosed. Neural activity may be modulated cyclically by stimuli delivered via various types of stimulus sources. In an aspect, activity of a sensory nerve is modulated. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an undesired sensation, such as pain, or an immune or inflammatory response or process. Delivery of stimuli for modulating neural activity may be controlled in part in response to an input from a user input device.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A neural modulation system comprising:
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a first signal input structure adapted to receive a user input signal indicative of an instruction from a user regarding operation of a neural modulation system to deliver a stimulus configured to reversibly modulate neural activity in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of a subject, the user input signal transmitted from a user input device adapted to receive a user input indicative of the instruction from the user; a second signal input structure adapted to receive an activity signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a sensor operatively connected to the second signal input structure; and a signal processing portion including circuitry for modifying operation of the neural modulation system responsive to receipt of the user input signal; circuitry for distinguishing a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the activity signal received at the second signal input structure; and circuitry for generating a stimulus control signal for driving production of the stimulus by a stimulus source, the stimulus configured to modulate neural activity in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of modulating an undesired sensation in a subject, comprising:
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receiving a signal indicative of a first activity state or a second activity state of at least a portion of the body of a subject; delivering a stimulus sufficient to produce a reversible modulation of neural activity in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of the subject, the stimulus sufficient to modulate an undesired sensation resulting from neural activity in the peripheral neural structure, the stimulus delivered in response to receipt of the signal indicative of the first activity state or the second activity state of a subject, wherein the stimulus is delivered by a stimulus source positioned substantially adjacent a skin surface in the vicinity of the peripheral neural structure; and repeating delivery of the stimulus in a cyclical application pattern, the cyclical application pattern including a modulation period during which the stimulus is applied at least intermittently, the modulation period coinciding at least in part with the first activity state in the subject; and a release period during which no stimulus is applied, the release period coinciding at least in part with the second activity state in the subject. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A neural modulation system, comprising:
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a package configured to be secured to a portion of a body of a subject adjacent a skin surface in the vicinity of a peripheral neural structure; a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of the subject; a stimulus source, the stimulus source adapted to produce a stimulus sufficient to reversibly modulate neural activity in at least a portion of the peripheral neural structure; and a signal processing portion within the package, the signal processing portion including circuitry configured to; distinguish a first activity state of the subject from a second activity state of the subject based on the signal received at the signal input structure; and generate a stimulus control signal for driving production of the stimulus by the stimulus source in a cyclical application pattern in response to at least one of the first activity state and the second activity state. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification