Method and system for neural tissue modification
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising:
- a) signal applicator adapted to apply an electrical signal output to said neural tissue;
b) a signal generator that generates a electrical signal output having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said at least one frequency component producing an alteration of a function of at least a portion of said neural tissue, and said electrical signal output having a waveform that produces an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal average temperature elevation of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when said electrical signal output is applied to said neural tissue through said signal applicator, wherein said waveform has a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration; and
c) a signal coupler that couples said signal generator and said signal applicator.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient. An electromagnetic signal is applied to the neural tissue through an electrode. The electromagnetic signal has a frequency component above the physiological stimulation frequency range and an intensity sufficient to produce an alteration of the neural tissue, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain, and a waveform that prevents lethal temperature elevation of the neural tissue during application of the electromagnetic signal to the neural tissue.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising:
-
a) signal applicator adapted to apply an electrical signal output to said neural tissue;
b) a signal generator that generates a electrical signal output having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said at least one frequency component producing an alteration of a function of at least a portion of said neural tissue, and said electrical signal output having a waveform that produces an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal average temperature elevation of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when said electrical signal output is applied to said neural tissue through said signal applicator, wherein said waveform has a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration; and
c) a signal coupler that couples said signal generator and said signal applicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A system for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising:
-
a) an electrode adapted to apply an amplitude modulated electrical signal to the neural tissue of the patient;
b) a signal generator that generates an amplitude modulated electrical signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated electrical signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing the average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated electrical signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, wherein said amplitude modulated electrical signal has a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration; and
c) an electrical coupling between said signal generator and said electrode to apply said multiple modulated electrical signal to said electrode. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for altering the function of neural tissue in a patient comprising the steps of:
-
a) generating an electrical signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said at least one frequency component producing an alteration of at least a portion of said neural tissue, and said electrical signal having a waveform that produces an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal average temperature elevation of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when said electrical signal is applied to said neural tissue, wherein said electrical signal has a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration; and
b) applying said electrical signal to said neural tissue. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
-
9. A system for altering a function of at least a portion of neural function of tissue in a patient comprising:
a) a generator that generates an electromagnetic signal having at least one high frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said ta least one high frequency component have a modulated waveform that produces alteration of the function of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when applied to said tissue through an electromagnetic signal applicator, wherein said modulated waveform has a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration.
-
10. A system for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising:
-
signal applicator adapted to apply an electrical signal output to said neural tissue;
a signal generator that generates an electrical signal output having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said at least one frequency component producing an alteration of a function of at least a portion of said neural tissue, and said electrical signal output including interrupted radiofrequency waveforms having predetermined time periods of on-time bursts of radiofrequency output of a first predetermined duration, each on-time burst being followed by an off-time output period of a second predetermined duration that produces an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal average temperature elevation of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when said electrical signal output is applied to said neural tissue through said signal applicator, wherein said interrupted radiofrequency waveforms each have a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration; and
a signal coupler that couples said signal generator and said signal applicator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for altering the function of neural tissue in a patient comprising the steps of:
-
a) generating an electrical signal having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said electrical signal output including interrupted radiofrequency waveforms having predetermined time periods of on-time bursts of radiofrequency output of a first predetermined duration, each on-time burst being followed by an off-time output period of a second predetermined duration that produces an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal average temperature elevation of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when said electrical signal is applied to said neural tissue, wherein said interrupted radiofrequency waveforms each have a peak voltage, said peak voltage being sufficient to produce said alteration; and
b) applying said electrical signal to said neural tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A system for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising:
-
a signal applicator adapted to apply an electrical signal output to the neural tissue;
a signal generator that generates an electrical signal output having at least one frequency component above a physiologic stimulation frequency range, said at least one frequency component producing an alteration of a function of at least a portion of the neural tissue, and said electrical signal output including interrupted radiofrequency waveforms having predetermined time periods of on-time bursts of radiofrequency output of a first predetermined duration, each on-time burst being followed by an off-time output period of a second predetermined duration that produces an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal average temperature elevation of said at least a portion of said neural tissue when said electrical signal output is applied to said neural tissue through said signal applicator, wherein said on-time burst has a peak voltage, said peak voltage being in a range that includes 10 volts to 30 volts or more; and
a signal coupler that couples said signal generator and said signal applicator. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification