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Publication Number
US-8983612-B2
Publication Date
2015-03-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and apparatus that resulted in blocking an action potential in a nerve.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a method of ameliorating sensory nerve pain in a patient by using an implanted electrode contacting a trunk of a sensory peripheral nerve and a waveform generator to prevent action potential transmission. Upon application of a blocking waveform of at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz, the frequency blocks but does not stimulate and is not used to generate an action potential in a nerve. The method uses one of a voltage range of 4 Vpp to 20 Vpp or a current range of 4 mApp to 26 mApp applied at a plurality of contact surfaces with the nerve trunk for an interval sufficient to effect substantially immediate pain relief.
A related aspect is that the interval of conduction blocking is sufficient to effect substantially immediate pain relief in the patient, and the method optionally repeats the delivery of the blocking waveform as needed. The description further characterizes examples in which the waveform can be a sinusoidal waveform at 10 kHz and constrains treatment to a sensory nerve trunk having a nerve diameter of up to 12 mm. Targeted embodiments apply the approach to specific sensory nerves and pain indications, including ilioinguinal nerve, intercostal nerve, sciatic, and greater occipital nerve contexts.
The invention also extends the same conduction-blocking approach to non-pain conditions by applying a blocking waveform through an implanted electrode contacting a trunk of a relevant nerve, where the waveform prevents action potential transmission without stimulating or generating an action potential. For example, the method is directed to ameliorating overactive bladder by contacting a trunk of a pelvic nerve with an implanted electrode and applying a waveform of at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz at the stated voltage or current ranges at multiple contact surfaces for an interval sufficient for substantially immediate amelioration. The method optionally repeats as needed.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims. Both claims center on delivering a high-frequency blocking waveform (at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz) via an implanted electrode contacting a nerve trunk, using specified voltage or current ranges applied across multiple contact surfaces for an interval sufficient to produce substantially immediate therapeutic effect, while ensuring the waveform blocks conduction without stimulating or generating an action potential.
Prevention of action potential transmission using a 5 kHz to 50 kHz blocking waveform for sensory nerve pain
Connect an implanted electrode contacting a trunk of a sensory peripheral nerve to a waveform generator such that application of 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; apply one of a voltage ranging from 4 Vpp to 20 Vpp or a current ranging from 4 mApp to 26 mApp at a plurality of contact surfaces for an interval sufficient to effect substantially immediate pain relief, optionally repeating as needed.
Prevention of action potential transmission using a 5 kHz to 50 kHz blocking waveform for overactive bladder
Connect a waveform generator to an implanted electrode contacting a trunk of a pelvic nerve such that application of 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; apply one of a voltage ranging from 4 Vpp to 20 Vpp or a current ranging from 4 mApp to 26 mApp at a plurality of contact surfaces for an interval sufficient to effect substantially immediate amelioration, optionally repeating as needed.
Across the independent claims, the coverage focuses on conduction block of action potential transmission in an implanted, electrode-contacted nerve trunk using a waveform of at least 5 kHz up to 50 kHz that blocks but does not stimulate, delivered at specified voltage or current ranges across multiple contact surfaces for an interval sufficient to achieve substantially immediate relief or amelioration, with optional repetition as needed.
Stated Advantages
Substantially immediate pain relief for sensory nerve pain.
Substantially immediate amelioration for overactive bladder.
Documented Applications
Ameliorating sensory nerve pain, including acute or chronic sensory nerve pain, with examples including post-surgical hernia pain (ilioinguinal nerve), shingles-related pain (intercostal nerve), migraine (greater occipital nerve), and other sensory pain contexts referenced in the partial content.
Ameliorating overactive bladder using conduction block at a pelvic nerve trunk.
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