Method of treating complex regional pain syndromes by electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve chain
First Claim
1. A method of interventionally and reversibly treating complex regional pain syndromes comprising:
- implanting at least one electrode, having distal and proximal termini, such that the distal terminus is in the vicinity of the sympathetic chain;
coupling the proximal terminus of the at least one electrode to an electrical signal source;
applying an oscillating electric field to the sympathetic chain in a frequency range of 2 to 2500 Hz;
varying the frequency of the oscillating electric field until the symptoms of the pain syndrome have been demonstrably alleviated; and
continuing the application of the oscillating electric field.
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Abstract
A method for treating complex regional pain syndromes by applying an oscillating electric field to appropriate sympathetic ganglia. The method includes the steps of inserting an electrode into the vicinity of the sympathetic ganglion, for example the stellate and upper thoracic ganglia, such that the necessary electric field may be applied to the ganglion. The necessary field oscillation frequency and strength, as well as other characteristics of the signal are determined individually for each patient. Continued driving of the pathological activity of the ganglion into the normal function is the long-term, reversible palatative remedy for the condition.
489 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of interventionally and reversibly treating complex regional pain syndromes comprising:
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implanting at least one electrode, having distal and proximal termini, such that the distal terminus is in the vicinity of the sympathetic chain;
coupling the proximal terminus of the at least one electrode to an electrical signal source;
applying an oscillating electric field to the sympathetic chain in a frequency range of 2 to 2500 Hz;
varying the frequency of the oscillating electric field until the symptoms of the pain syndrome have been demonstrably alleviated; and
continuing the application of the oscillating electric field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification