Methods and systems for treatment of spinal disorders using trans-spinal direct current stimulation
AssigneeResearch Foundation of the City University of New York
InventorZaghloul Ahmed
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems and devices are disclosed for treating a spinal disorder by applying a source of direct current to a spinal cord in animals, including humans. Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) uses direct current via cathodal and/or anodal stimulation to induce cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and/or cell migration at or near the area of the spinal cord being treated, and up-regulates or down-regulates protein expression by cells at or near the area of the spinal cord being treated.
Claims73
A method of treating a spinal cord condition in a vertebrate being, comprising the steps of applying at least one of cathodal and anodal stimulation at the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord in the area of a site of the condition to regulate biological activity of at least one of protein expression level and cell behavior in the area of the site, wherein the stimulation is applied as direct current at an intensity and for a period of time sufficient to cause the biological activity to include at least one of proliferation, differentiation, migration and expression in the area of the site.
A stimulation device for regulating biological activity associated with the spine including at least one of protein expression level and cell behavior to promote at least one of proliferation, differentiation, migration and expression, comprising:
- a. a direct current voltage source having a plurality of terminals;
- b. a first of the terminals for connecting a first electrode to the direct current source;
- c. a second of the terminals for connecting a second electrode to the direct current source;
- and
- d. a control circuit for controlling voltage available at the first and second terminals for enabling control of current flow between the electrodes.
The device of claim 55 having an intelligent controller controlled by at least one of a human interface and internal circuit control by using protocol data stored in a memory, to establish circuit connection between the electrodes and the terminals, respectively, according to data obtained from the memory to enable a treatment by a chosen protocol.
A device for treating a spinal cord condition in a vertebrate being by applying stimulation at the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord at a site of the condition to regulate biological activity including at least one of protein expression level and cell behavior to promote at least one of proliferation, differentiation, migration and expression, comprising:
- a. a direct current source having a plurality of terminals;
- b. a first of the terminals for connecting a first electrode to the direct current source;
- c. a second of the terminals for connecting a second electrode to the direct current source;
- d. a circuit to control the direction of current flow between the first electrode and the second electrode;
- e. a circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the electrodes and the direct current source, the circuit for maintaining constant current flow between the electrodes in response to changes in voltage at the first and second terminals;
- and
- f. wherein the direct current source is a battery.
The device of claim 58 further comprising a wearable housing configured to secure the direct current source to the vertebrate being and to permit the being to be mobile while the device is in operation.
The device of claim 59 wherein a surface of the housing includes an electrode surface for attachment of the first electrode directly to the being in the area of the dorsal aspect.
The device of claim 60 further including an intelligent controller for executing stored routines for delivering trans-spinal direct current stimulation during operation of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.