Onset-mitigating high-frequency nerve block
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsKevin L. Kilgore, Niloy Bhadra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of blocking signal transmission through a nerve, with reduced onset activity includes applying an HFAC to an axon of a nerve to block the transmission of signals through the axon. The method may also include applying a direct current (DC) to the axon, increasing the amplitude of the DC over time to a predetermined amplitude, applying the HFAC, and then decreasing the DC. The method may also include temporarily reducing the amplitude of the HFAC to permit the transmission of signals through the axon and subsequently increasing the amplitude to block transmission without triggering an onset response. The method may also include temporarily applying an unbalanced charge to the nerve and then balancing the charge over time.
Claims21
1-38. (canceled)
A method for closed-loop nerve block, the method comprising:
- detecting, from at least one sensor in electrical communication with a nerve of a patient, a signal indicative of pain in the patient;
- generating, from a waveform generator coupled to a controller, a nerve block signal when the controller indicates that a nerve block is required, the nerve block signal having a frequency of greater than 1 kHz and an amplitude of approximately 4 to 10 volts per pulse;
- adjusting, by the controller, the nerve block signal based on closed-loop feedback from the at least one sensor;
- and
- applying the nerve block signal to the nerve of the patient from one or more electrodes coupled to the waveform generator.
A method for closed-loop nerve block, the method comprising:
- detecting, from at least one sensor in electrical communication with a nerve of a patient, a signal indicative of a pain associated with a missing appendage in the patient;
- generating, from a waveform generator coupled to a controller, a nerve block signal when the controller indicates that a nerve block is required, the nerve block signal having a frequency of greater than 1 kHz and an amplitude of approximately 4 to 10 volts per pulse;
- adjusting, by the controller, the nerve block signal based on closed-loop feedback from the at least one sensor;
- and
- applying the nerve block signal to the nerve of the patient from one or more electrodes coupled to the waveform generator, wherein the nerve block signal is adjusted as the nerve block signal is applied based on closed-loop feedback from the at least one sensor.
A method for closed-loop nerve block, the method comprising:
- detecting, from at least one sensor in electrical communication with a nerve of a patient, a signal indicative of a pain associated with a missing appendage in the patient;
- determining, in an implanted controller, whether nerve block is required based on the signal from the at least one sensor;
- generating, from a waveform generator coupled to the implanted controller, a nerve block signal when the implanted controller indicates that the nerve block is required, the nerve block signal having a frequency of greater than 1 kHz and an amplitude of approximately 4 to 10 volts per pulse;
- adjusting, by the implanted controller, the nerve block signal based on closed-loop feedback from the at least one sensor;
- and
- applying the nerve block signal to the nerve of the patient from one or more electrodes coupled to the waveform generator, wherein the nerve block signal is adjusted as the nerve block signal is applied based on closed-loop feedback from the at least one sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.