Apparatus and Methods for Modulating Nerves Using Parallel Electric Fields
OwnerAdi Mashiachinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device may include at least one pair of modulation electrodes configured for implantation in the vicinity of a nerve to be modulated such that the electrodes are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the nerve to be modulated. The electrodes may be further configured to facilitate an electric field in response to an applied electric signal, the electric field including field lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the nerve to be modulated. The device may further include at least one circuit in electrical communication with the at least one pair of modulation electrodes and being configured to cause application of the electric signal applied at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes.
Claims22
A device, comprising:
- at least one pair of modulation electrodes configured for implantation in the vicinity of a nerve to be modulated such that the electrodes are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the nerve to be modulated, the electrodes being further configured to facilitate an electric field in response to an applied electric signal, the electric field including field lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the nerve to be modulated;
- and
- at least one circuit in electrical communication with the at least one pair of modulation electrodes and being configured to cause application of the electric signal applied at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes.
The device of claim 12, wherein the first pair of electrodes and the second pair of electrodes can be activated to simultaneously generate respective electric fields.
The device of claim 15, wherein the AC signal is received via an antenna associated with the at least one circuit.
A method of modulating a nerve, comprising:
- receiving an alternating current (AC) signal at a device configured to be implanted into a body of a subject;
- generating a voltage signal in response to the AC signal;
- applying the voltage signal to at least one pair of modulation electrodes configured for implantation in the vicinity of the nerve such that the electrodes are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the nerve;
- generating an electrical field in response to the voltage signal applied to the at least one pair of modulation electrodes, the electric field including field lines extending in a longitudinal direction of the nerve;
- and
- modulating the nerve.
A hypertension therapy device for affecting blood pressure, the hypertension therapy device comprising, comprising:
- at least one pair of modulation electrodes configured for implantation inside a blood vessel and configured for facilitating an electrical field outside of the blood vessel in the vicinity of at least one of a renal nerve, a baroreceptor, and a glossopharyngeal nerve to be modulated such that the electrodes are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel, the electrodes being further configured to facilitate the electric field in response to an applied electric signal, the electric field including field lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel;
- and
- at least one circuit, configured for implantation inside the blood vessel, in electrical communication with the at least one pair of modulation electrodes and being configured to cause application of the electric signal applied at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes.
A head pain management device, comprising:
- an elongated flexible carrier sized and configured for implantation beneath the skin to extend from a first location of a substantially hairless region on one side of a hairline, across a hairline to a second location of a substantially haired region in a vicinity of an occipital nerve;
- an antenna located on the carrier for implantation in the first location;
- at least one pair of modulation electrodes configured in on the carrier for implantation in the second location, the electrodes being spaced apart from one another in a manner such that upon implantation, the electrodes are spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction of the occipital nerve, the electrodes being further configured to facilitate an electric field in response to an applied electric signal, the electric field including field lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the occipital nerve;
- and
- at least one circuit in electrical communication with the at least one pair of modulation electrodes and being configured to cause application, to the occipital nerve, of the electric signal applied at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.