# US 10,369,358 B2 · Method and means to improve the effects of electrical cell and neuron stimulation with random stimulation in both location and time

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- Number: US 10,369,358 B2
- Document ID: US10369358B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/275,304
- Filed: 2016-09-23
- Published: 2017-01-12
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2010-03-24
- Applicants: Sergio Lara Pereira Monteiro
- Inventors: Sergio Lara Pereira Monteiro
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369358B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/0456: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]}
- A61B 34/70: {Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery}
- A61N 1/025: {Digital circuitry features of electrotherapy devices, e.g. memory, clocks, processors}
- A61N 1/0529: {Electrodes for brain stimulation}
- A61N 1/0534: {Electrodes for deep brain stimulation}
- A61N 1/0539: {Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole}
- A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes}
- A61N 1/0587: {Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium}
- A61N 1/36071: {Pain}
- A61N 1/36103: {Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke}
- A61N 1/36182: {Direction of the electrical field, e.g. with sleeve around stimulating electrode}
- A61N 1/36185: {Selection of the electrode configuration}
- A61N 1/3686: {configured for selecting the electrode configuration on a lead (A61N1/3688 takes precedence)}
- A61N 1/37518: {Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation}
- A61N 1/057: {Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart}
- A61N 1/36034: {specified by the stimulation parameters}
- A61N 1/3684: {for stimulating the heart at multiple sites of the ventricle or the atrium}
- A61N 1/37512: {Pacemakers}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An electric stimulator for brain, heart, skin and internal organs in animals and plants where the electrodes are distributed on a supporting structure. The supporting structure may be adapted for brain, heart, skin or other internal organs, as for DBS, heart pacemaker, TENS, etc. The invention discloses a plurality of electrodes at the surface of the supporting structure, from which electrically stimulating currents can be injected into the organism. Turning off an electrode while turning on another electrode has the effect of moving the stimulation within the body of the organism from one point to another point, with the same effect but with less spent energy than physically moving the whole electrode support. We call this electrode shifting. Rotational and translational electrode shifting are possible. The invention also discloses random changes of the electrode shifting, and random changes of the stimulation time and of the stimulation duration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for applying therapeutic neuromodulation by adjusting the location of an electrical stimulation caused by an electrical stimulator configured to be implanted in an animal comprising:
providing a supporting structure configured to be attached to the animal;
providing an electrode supporting structure with a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, a surface and an inner volume;
providing a plurality of pads or electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure;
providing one or more electronic controlling unit which is configured to change the state of some of the electrodes from on to off and/or from off to on at different times or to leave the state of some of the electrodes unchanged,
providing electrically connecting means connecting the electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure to the one or more electronic controlling unit wherein,
the one or more electronic controlling unit is configured for providing a change in the electrodes that are turned on providing electrical stimulation,
wherein the locus of the electrical stimulation occurred at precise locations along the electrode supporting structure wherein it is possible to apply the electrical stimulation at a a precise depth and at a precise angular orientation with respect to the target tissue,
Wherein the electrical stimulation locus transition from either a single electrode or a combination of electrodes to either a different electrode or combination of electrodes in a pre-determined pattern.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the location changes of the stimulation locus cause a moving propagating stimulation through the target tissue of the animal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the position of application of the electrical stimulation is a comprehensive random sequence.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the time elapsed between the initiation of the electrical stimulation from one electrode to another electrode is a comprehensive random time sequence.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 wherein the time elapsed between the initiation of the electrical stimulation from one electrode to another electrode is a comprehensive random time sequence that assumes values within a minimum time value and a maximum time value.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the duration of the electrical stimulation forms a comprehensive random time sequence.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the duration of the electrical stimulation forms a comprehensive random time sequence that assumes values within a minimum time value and a maximum time value.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the stimulating electrodes provides a rotating electrical stimulation wherein the most recently connected electrodes at the “on” state at the surface of the electrode supporting structure and the last disconnected electrodes at the “off” state behind, describe a rotation with respect to the intended target tissue of the animal.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the stimulating electrodes provides a translating electrical stimulation created by the advancing along the electrode supporting structure of the electrodes at the “on” state and the electrodes at the “off” states behind the “on” state.

### Claim 10

An electrical stimulation apparatus for applying therapeutic neuromodulation by adjusting the location of an electrical stimulation caused by an electrical stimulator configured to be implanted in an animal comprising:
providing a supporting structure configured to be attached to the animal,
providing an electrode supporting structure with a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, a surface and an inner volume;
providing a plurality of pads or electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure,
providing one or more electronic controlling unit which is configured to change the state of some of the electrodes from on to off and/or from off to on at different times or to leave the state of some of the electrodes unchanged,
providing electrically connecting means connecting the electrodes at the surface of the electrode supporting structure to the one or more electronic controlling unit wherein,
the one or more electronic controlling unit is configured for providing a change in the electrodes that are turned on providing electrical stimulation,
wherein the locus of the electrical stimulation occurred at precise locations along the electrode supporting structure wherein it is possible to apply the electrical stimulation at a precise depth and at a precise angular orientation with respect to the targed tissue,
wherein the electrical stimulation locus transition from either a single electrode or a combination of electrodes to either a different electrode or combination of electrodes in a pre-determined pattern.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10 wherein the location changes of the stimulation locus cause a moving propagating stimulation through the target tissue of the animal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 11 wherein the location changes of the stimulation locus cause a moving propagating stimulation through the target tissue of the animal such that the locus of the electrical stimulation moves either on a translating pattern or on a rotating pattern with respect to the electrode supporting structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The electrical stimulation apparatus of claim 10 wherein the change in the position of the electrical stimulation is a comprehensive random sequence.