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Publication Number
US-8731676-B2
Publication Date
2014-05-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and apparatus that resulted in blocking an action potential in a nerve.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of ameliorating sensory nerve pain and to a method for reversibly blocking an action potential in a sensory nerve by preventing action potential transmission in the nerve. An implanted electrode contacting a trunk of a sensory peripheral nerve in the patient is connected to a waveform generator, and a waveform is applied having a frequency of at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz that blocks conduction but does not stimulate and is not used to generate an action potential in a nerve.
The conduction block is effected using one of a voltage range from 4 Vpp to 20 Vpp or a current range from 4 mApp to 26 mApp at a plurality of contact surfaces with the nerve trunk for an interval sufficient to effect substantially immediate pain relief or a desired response. The method is applied to sensory peripheral nerve trunks having a diameter exceeding 3 mm and up to 12 mm, and it can optionally be repeated as needed.
Apparatus described in the content includes an implanted electrode for contacting the nerve trunk using a nerve cuff configured as a self-curling spiral cuff, with conductive strips and lead connections and openings/apertures for positioning around the nerve. A larger multi-contact surface with apertures is described, and electrode configurations may include monopolar, bipolar, or tripolar conductive strips contained in the cuff.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims (clm-00001 and clm-00012). Both independent claims share a core nerve-blocking conduction concept using a frequency that blocks but does not stimulate, and they differ in whether the patient outcome is framed as ameliorating sensory nerve pain or as effecting a desired response via reversibly blocking action potentials.
Sensory nerve conduction blocking using a blocking waveform
Connecting a waveform generator operatively to an implanted electrode contacting a trunk of a sensory peripheral nerve and applying a waveform of at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz where the frequency blocks but does not stimulate and is not used to generate an action potential, but rather to block conduction of an action potential at one of a voltage ranging from 4 Vpp to 20 Vpp, or a current ranging from 4 mApp to 26 mApp, for an interval sufficient to effect substantially immediate pain relief.
Reversibly blocking an action potential to effect a desired response
Connecting a waveform generator operatively to an implanted electrode contacting a trunk of the sensory nerve and applying a waveform of at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz where the frequency blocks but does not stimulate and is not used to generate an action potential in a nerve but rather to block conduction of an action potential at one of a voltage ranging from 4 Vpp to 20 Vpp, or a current ranging from 4 mApp to 26 mApp, to the nerve trunk for an interval sufficient to effect a substantially immediate response in the patient.
Optional repetition of the blocking interval
Optionally repeating the conduction-blocking step as needed to ameliorate nerve pain or to effect the desired response.
Targeting sensory peripheral nerve trunks of specified diameter range
Implanted electrode contact is applied to a trunk of a sensory peripheral nerve having a diameter exceeding 3 mm and up to 12 mm.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on using an implanted electrode and a waveform generator to apply a frequency within at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz that blocks conduction without stimulating and without generating an action potential, with conduction blocked using specified voltage or current ranges for an interval sufficient for substantially immediate effects, and optionally repeating the interval.
Stated Advantages
Substantially immediate pain relief in the patient.
Substantially immediate response in the patient by reversibly blocking action potential transmission.
Documented Applications
Ameliorating sensory nerve pain, including amputation pain in amputees.
Ameliorating spasticity.
Ameliorating urge to void overactive bladder by providing a desired immediate response.
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