Neural electrode treatment

• US 20070043400A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EnteroMedics, Inc. (ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.)
• Inventors: Donders, Adrianus, Knudson, Mark, Weijand, Koen
• Granted Patent: US 7,672,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:

a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient;

a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes;

said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, said waveforms having parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials;

said waveforms having a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said delay period is at least equal to a time interval of one complete cycle.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of a nerve from a neural block induced by said cycle.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of said waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of said waveforms.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least a first anodic electrode and a second anodic electrode connected to said first electrode and said second electrode respectively.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waveforms have an amplitude between 0.5 mA and 8 mA.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 250 Hz.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 3000 Hz.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrodes include a contact surface area enhance by a surface treatment selected to increase said surface area by creating a plurality of protuberances with opposing surfaces of protuberances sized to present an atraumatic surface to opposing tissue.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a signal amplifier connected across at least one of said electrodes and selected to identify a depolarization of a nerve.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waveforms have an amplitude between 0.5 mA and 8 mA.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 250 Hz.

18. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 3000 Hz.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrodes include a contact surface area enhance by a surface treatment selected to increase said surface area by creating a plurality of protuberances with opposing surfaces of protuberances sized to present an atraumatic surface to opposing tissue.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a charge amplifier connected across at least one of said electrodes and selected to identify a depolarization of a nerve.

11. A method for the treatment of a disorder susceptible to down-regulation of neural activity, said method comprising:

identifying a first nerve and a second nerve for down-regulation to advance said treatment;

placing a first electrode on said first nerve and a second electrode on said second nerve;

electrically connecting a signal generator to each of said first and second electrodes;

said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, said waveforms having parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials;

said waveforms having a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses;

activating said signal generator to apply said waveforms to said first and second nerves.

12. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:

a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient;

a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes;

said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode;

said waveforms having a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses;

said waveforms synchronized for a delay period of one of said waveforms to occur during a pulse of the other of said waveforms.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said delay period is at least equal to a time interval of one complete cycle.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said cycle is selected to induce a neural block and said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of a nerve from said neural block.

15. An apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising at least a first anodic electrode and a second anodic electrode connected to said first electrode and said second electrode respectively.