Method to treat pain through electrical stimulation of nerves

• US 9,974,947 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2015
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• 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:
  US14/684,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20150224301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 607118, 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 system comprising:

a waveform generator configured to generate an electrical waveform, wherein the electrical waveform is a non-pulsed electrical waveform that exhibits a delayed rise time;

an electrode configuration coupled to the waveform generator to receive the electrical waveform and apply the electrical waveform to a peripheral nerve,

wherein the electrode configuration comprises at least two electrodes configured to be located at diametrically opposed locations about a peripheral nerve to apply the electrical waveform through the peripheral nerve in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the peripheral nerve,

wherein the electrical waveform is configured to inhibit the transmission of pain signals through C-fibers in the peripheral nerve without substantially activating motor nerve fibers and higher-sensory nerve fibers in the peripheral nerve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the delayed rise time from a neutral amplitude to a peak amplitude is at least 10 μ

s.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the delayed rise time from a neutral amplitude to a peak amplitude is at least 20 μ

s.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical waveform exhibits a near-instantaneous fall time from the peak amplitude to the neutral amplitude without the delay.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical waveform comprises a frequency of at least 10 Hz.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical waveform is a charge-balanced analog waveform.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-pulsed electrical waveform comprises a maximum amplitude less than or equal to 5 mA.

8. A method comprising:

supplying a high frequency current waveform to at least two electrodes located at diametrically opposed locations around a peripheral nerve, wherein the current waveform comprises a non-pulsed waveform that exhibits a delayed rise time between neural and a peak amplitude and a near-instantaneous drop from the peak amplitude to the neutral amplitude; and

applying, by the at least two electrodes, the current waveform through the peripheral nerve in a direction substantially traverse to a longitudinal axis of the peripheral nerve to prevent the transmission of pain signals through C-fibers in the peripheral nerve,

wherein conduction through motor fibers and higher-sensory fibers in the peripheral nerve are not substantially activated due to the application of the current waveform through the peripheral nerve.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the current waveform comprises a frequency between 10 Hz and 2000 Hz and a rise time of at least 10 μ

s.