Systems and methods for reversibly blocking nerve activity
First Claim
1. A method for selectively blocking activity of a nerve in an animal by application of an electric current, said method comprising:
- generating an electrical waveform having a first phase with a first polarity, a first duration, and a first amplitude, that produces subthreshold depolarization of the nerve membrane and a second phase after the first phase that has a second polarity, a second duration, and a second amplitude; and
applying the waveform to a targeted nerve region, wherein the phases of said waveform are delivered at a rate of at least 5 kilohertz (kHz), and the ratio of the amplitude of the second phase to the amplitude of the first phase is about 1;
1 to about 1;
5.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for blocking nerve impulses use an implanted electrode located on or around a nerve. A specific waveform is used that causes the nerve membrane to become incapable of transmitting an action potential. The membrane is only affected underneath the electrode, and the effect is immediately and completely reversible. The waveform has a low amplitude and can be charge balanced, with a high likelihood of being safe to the nerve for chronic conditions. It is possible to selectively block larger (motor) nerve fibers within a mixed nerve, while allowing sensory information to travel through unaffected nerve fibers.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for selectively blocking activity of a nerve in an animal by application of an electric current, said method comprising:
- generating an electrical waveform having a first phase with a first polarity, a first duration, and a first amplitude, that produces subthreshold depolarization of the nerve membrane and a second phase after the first phase that has a second polarity, a second duration, and a second amplitude; and
applying the waveform to a targeted nerve region, wherein the phases of said waveform are delivered at a rate of at least 5 kilohertz (kHz), and the ratio of the amplitude of the second phase to the amplitude of the first phase is about 1;
1 to about 1;
5. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- generating an electrical waveform having a first phase with a first polarity, a first duration, and a first amplitude, that produces subthreshold depolarization of the nerve membrane and a second phase after the first phase that has a second polarity, a second duration, and a second amplitude; and
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8. A method for selectively blocking conduction of an action potential in a nerve of an animal such as a human, said method comprising:
- delivering an electrical waveform to a nerve, said waveform comprising a series of bi-phasic pulses that, when applied to said nerve, block conduction of an action potential by said nerve, wherein said nerve comprises h gates and m gates and wherein said bi-phasic pulses of said waveform close said h gates and said m gates sufficiently to block said nerve from conducting said action potential, wherein each pulse of said electrical waveform comprises;
a first phase having a first polarity, a first duration and a first amplitude, said first amplitude less than an activation threshold of said nerve; and
, a second phase having a second polarity, a second duration and a second amplitude, wherein the pulses of said waveform are delivered at a rate of at least 5 kilohertz (kHz), and the ratio of the amplitude of the second phase to the amplitude of the first phase is about 1;
1 to about 1;
5. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- delivering an electrical waveform to a nerve, said waveform comprising a series of bi-phasic pulses that, when applied to said nerve, block conduction of an action potential by said nerve, wherein said nerve comprises h gates and m gates and wherein said bi-phasic pulses of said waveform close said h gates and said m gates sufficiently to block said nerve from conducting said action potential, wherein each pulse of said electrical waveform comprises;
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15. A method, comprising:
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generating a steady state electrical waveform, where the steady state electrical waveform has a first phase having a first polarity, a first duration, and a first amplitude, the first phase being a cathodic, depolarizing phase configured to depolarize a nerve, where the steady state electrical waveform has a second phase having a second polarity, a second duration, and a second amplitude, the second phase being an anodic, repolarizing phase configured to repolarize the nerve, where the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude is 1;
1 to 1;
5,where each of the first phase and the second phase has a frequency in the range of 5 kiloHertz (KHz) up to 10 KHz, and applying an electric current to the nerve in an animal according to the steady state waveform, where applying the electric current comprises; selectively, repetitively, alternately applying the first phase of the steady state electrical waveform to the nerve and then applying the second phase of the steady state electrical waveform to the nerve for a period of time sufficient to arrest signal transmission through the nerve, and arresting signal transmission in progressively smaller nerve fibers in the nerve by altering, over time, at least one of the first amplitude and the second amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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selectively blocking conduction of an action potential in a nerve in an animal by selectively, repetitively delivering a series of bi-phasic pulses to the nerve, where a member of the series of the bi-phasic pulses has a first phase and a second phase, the first phase having a first polarity, a first duration, and a first amplitude, the first phase being a cathodic, depolarizing phase, the second phase having a second polarity, a second duration, and a second amplitude, the second phase being an anodic, repolarizing phase, each of the first phase and the second phase being delivered at a frequency in the range of at least 5 KHz up to 10 KHz, where the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude is 1;
1 to 1;
5, andselectively blocking conduction of action potentials in progressively smaller nerve fibers in the nerve by altering, over a period of time, one or more of the first amplitude and the second amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method, comprising:
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selectively blocking conduction of an action potential in a nerve in an animal by selectively, repetitively delivering a series of bi-phasic pulses to the nerve, where a member of the series of the bi-phasic pulses has a first phase and a second phase, the first phase having a first polarity, a first duration, and a first amplitude, the first phase being a cathodic, depolarizing phase, the second phase having a second polarity, a second duration, and a second amplitude, the second phase being an anodic, repolarizing phase, each of the first phase and the second phase being delivered at a frequency in the range of at least 5 KHz up to 10 KHz, where the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude is 1;
1 to 1;
5, andwhere the first duration is greater than the second duration.
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Specification