System and method for providing recovery from muscle denervation

A system for treatment of a surgically repaired peripheral nerve to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the system comprising:

• an electronic device implanted in the body in the vicinity of the peripheral nerve, said electronic device producing electrical currents in the body that flow in part through the peripheral nerve;
• and
• an electronic controller located outside the body for controlling the strength, duration and temporal patterning of said electrical currents.

A method for treatment of injuries to peripheral nerves to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the method comprising the step of:

• applying a train of stimulating pulses through a first electrode positioned in the body at a predetermined intensity to evoke action potentials in at least one motor axon in a proximal stump;
• the pulses being applied at a time period after effecting nerve repair.

A method for determining the state of recovery from a peripheral nerve injury, the method comprising the steps of:

• applying a train of stimulating pulses from an implanted device at a predetermined intensity to evoke action potentials in at least one motor axon in a proximal stump;
• and
• effecting at least one of recording or quantifying at least one of an electromyogram or contractile forces produced by the muscle.

A method for treatment of injuries to peripheral nerves to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the method comprising the step of:

• applying a non-pulsatile electrical field by means of a fully implanted device, the field being applied for a sufficient length of time after effecting nerve repair.

A system for treatment of a surgically repaired peripheral nerve to augment recovery from muscle denervation, the system comprising:

• an electronic device implanted in the body in the vicinity of the peripheral nerve, said electronic device producing electrical currents that flow in part through the peripheral nerve thereby to augment regeneration and recovery of neuromuscular function.