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Publication Number
US-11691015-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a system for neuromodulation and/or neurostimulation, for the treatment of a subject. The system comprises a stimulation controller, a stimulation pattern storage means including stimulation data connected to the stimulation controller, an electrical stimulation device and electrical interface between the electrical stimulation device and the subject, the electrical interface being connectable with a bio-interface of the nervous system of the subject. The stimulation data are pre-programmed patterns comprising spatial and temporal components, The stimulation controller sends configuration signals on the basis of the stimulation data to the electrical stimulation device such that via the electrical interface electrical stimulation is provided to the bio-interface, wherein the electrical stimulation provided is characterized by stimulation parameters that vary over time in a pre-programmed manner.
Core Innovation
The content describes a neuromodulation or neurostimulation system that stores spatial and temporal stimulation-pattern data in separate modules that the stimulation controller can access independently. The controller sends configuration signals to an electrical stimulation device, providing stimulation with parameters that vary over time in a pre-programmed manner. The system combines open-loop and closed-loop stimulation or may switch between them.
The method uses ordered, pre-programmed stimulation patterns, delivered in sequences, cyclically, or repeatedly, to replicate physiological activation signals of particular muscle groups at an appropriate time for a specific task or movement. The background section is not included in the supplied content, so the problem being solved is not explicitly described. The content identifies treatment of a subject as the system's and method's purpose.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims cover a neuromodulation or neurostimulation system and a method for providing stimulation across five inventive features.
Independently accessible spatial and temporal pattern storage
The system includes a stimulation pattern storage drive with at least one spatial stimulation pattern data storage module and at least one temporal stimulation pattern data storage module. The stimulation controller can access or read out the modules independently from each other.
Pre-programmed stimulation with parameters that vary over time
The controller uses stimulation data representing pre-programmed patterns with a spatial component related to a part of the nervous system being stimulated and a temporal component related to when that spatial component is applied. The provided electrical stimulation has one or more parameters that vary over time in a pre-programmed manner.
Combined or switchable open-loop and closed-loop stimulation
The system and method provide a combination of open-loop stimulation and closed-loop stimulation, or allow switching between open-loop and closed-loop stimulation.
Stimulation through an electrical interface
The system includes an electrical stimulation device and an electrical interface connectable with a bio-interface of or with the subject's nervous system. The method provides an electrical stimulation device and interface, connects a neural interface, and applies stimulation through the electrical interface.
Ordered patterns that replicate physiological activation for movement
The method provides stimulation in one or more sequences, cyclically, or repeatedly. The sequences comprise ordered stimulation patterns arranged to replicate physiological activation signals of particular muscle groups at an appropriate time for a specific task or movement, including walking, standing up, sitting down, climbing staircases, cycling, lifting a foot, or placing or moving an extremity or head.
The independent claims cover both a system and a method using pre-programmed spatial and temporal stimulation patterns, time-varying stimulation parameters, and open-loop and closed-loop operation. The method further covers ordered stimulation patterns intended to replicate physiological muscle activation for specified tasks or movements.
Stated Advantages
The description reports more than 10 consecutive steps with open-loop epidural stimulation.
The description reports increased blood pressure during stimulation after standing.
Documented Applications
Gait and other task-specific movement rehabilitation, including stimulation associated with walking, standing up, sitting down, climbing staircases, cycling, lifting a foot, or placing or moving an extremity or the head.
Bladder or sexual-function neurorehabilitation training.
Blood-pressure control to counteract orthostatic hypotension during verticalization, sitting, standing, or related training, including use of the skeletal muscle pump to move blood from an extremity toward the heart.
Electrical stimulation of at least one muscle to restore sweating function in a body part.
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