Subcutaneous direct current nerve conduction block
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsTina Vrabec, Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to subcutaneous direct current (DC) nerve conduction block. A subcutaneous electrode can be implanted under a subject's skin between the subject's skin and a neural structure within the subject's body. The subcutaneous electrode can be coupled to a current generator. A DC can be configured by the current generator and delivered through the subcutaneous electrode to block conduction in the neural structure. The subcutaneous electrode eliminates an effect of an impedance of the subject's skin on the DC. The DC can be returned to the current generator by a return electrode.
Claims14
A method comprising:
- implanting a subcutaneous electrode under a subject's skin and between the subject's skin and a neural structure within the subject's body, wherein the subcutaneous electrode is connected to an external current generator via a percutaneous wire that extends through the subject's skin;
- delivering a waveform, comprising a ramp to a direct current (DC) plateau, the DC plateau having an amplitude sufficient to alter transmission of action potentials in the neural structure, and a ramp down from the DC plateau, configured by the current generator, through the subcutaneous electrode to block conduction in the neural structure in a reversible manner to treat a neurological condition, wherein the subcutaneous electrode eliminates an effect of an impedance of the subject's skin on the waveform, wherein the waveform does not trigger an onset response upon application;
- and
- returning the waveform to the external current generator by a return electrode.
A system comprising:
- an external current generator to generate a waveform including a ramp to a DC plateau, the DC plateau having an amplitude sufficient to alter transmission of action potentials in the neural structure, and a ramp down from the DC plateau;
- a subcutaneous electrode, connected to the external current generator via a percutaneous wire that is configured to extend through the subject's skin, to deliver the DC to block conduction in one or more neural structures in a subject's body in a reversible manner to treat a neurological condition, wherein the subcutaneous electrode is implantable under the subject's skin and between the subject's skin and the one or more neural structure within the subject's body to eliminate an effect of an impedance of the subject's skin wherein the waveform does not trigger an onset response upon application;
- and
- a return electrode, coupled to the external current generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.