Selective recruitment and activation of fiber types in nerves for the control of undesirable brain state changes
AssigneeFlint Hills Scientific, L.L.C.
InventorIvan OSORIO
Life of this patent
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Abstract
We disclose methods and medical device systems for selectively recruiting a nerve fiber type within a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root. Such a method may comprise applying a first pressure, a heating, and/or a cooling to a second location of the nerve, the pressure, heating, or cooling sufficient to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one fiber population through the second location of the nerve for a blocking time period; and applying an electrical signal to a first location during the blocking time period to prevent or treat an undesirable brain state change.
Claims25
A method for selectively recruiting a nerve fiber type within a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root, comprising:
- applying a first pressure to a second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root, said pressure sufficient to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one of an A-fiber population or a B-fiber population through said second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root for a blocking time period;
- and
- applying an electrical signal to a first location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve, or said spinal root during said blocking time period, said electrical signal sufficient to activate at least one of a B-fiber population or a C-fiber population at said first location of cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve, or said spinal root.
A method for selectively recruiting a nerve fiber type of a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root, comprising:
- performing an operation selected from one of heating or cooling a second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root, said heating or cooling sufficient to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction on at least a first fiber type of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root for a blocking time period;
- and
- applying an electrical signal to a first location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve, or said spinal root during said blocking time period.
A medical device system for selectively stimulating a nerve fiber, comprising:
- an electrode coupled to a first location of a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root, said electrode capable of applying an electrical signal to said first location;
- a nerve pressure device coupled to a second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root, capable of applying a first pressure to the second location;
- a medical device operatively coupled to said electrode and said nerve pressure device, said medical device comprising:
- a controller
- an electrical signal generator to apply an electrical signal to the first location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root using said electrode;
- and
- a pressure signal generator to apply said first pressure to said second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root using said nerve pressure device, to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one of an A-fiber population or a B-fiber population at said second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root.
A medical device system for selectively stimulating a nerve fiber, comprising:
- an electrode coupled to a first location of a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root, said electrode capable of applying an electrical signal to said first location;
- at least one of
- a nerve pressure device coupled to a second location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root, said nerve pressure device capable of applying a first pressure to said second location;
- or
- a thermal manipulation unit coupled to a third location of said cranial nerve, said peripheral nerve or said spinal root, said thermal manipulation unit capable of heating or cooling said third location;
- and
- a medical device operatively coupled to said electrode, and said at least one of a nerve pressure device and a thermal manipulation unit, said medical device comprising:
- a controller;
- an electrical signal generator to apply an electrical signal to said first location using said electrode;
- and
- at least one of
- a pressure signal generator to apply said first pressure to said second location using said nerve pressure device, to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one of an A-fiber population or a B-fiber population at said second location;
- and
- a thermal signal generator capable of heating or cooling said third location, to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one of an A-fiber population or a B-fiber population at said third location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.