Selective neuromodulation using energy-efficient waveforms
AssigneesIntelect Medical, Inc., The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.
InventorsRandall York, Christopher Butson
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Abstract
Methods of selective neuromodulation in a live mammalian subject, such as a human patient. The method comprises applying an electrical signal to a target site in the nervous system, such as the brain, where the electrical signal comprises a series of pulses. The pulses includes a waveform shape that is more energy-efficient as compared to a corresponding rectangular waveform. Non-limiting examples of such energy-efficient waveforms include linear increasing, linear decreasing, exponential increasing, exponential decreasing, and Gaussian waveforms. The parameters for the energy-efficient waveform are chosen to selectively activate neural tissue on the basis of axonal diameter.
Claims24
A method for selective neuromodulation in a live mammalian subject, comprising:
- selecting parameters for an energy-efficient waveform to selectively activate neural tissue;
- and
- applying an electrical signal to a site in the nervous system of the subject, wherein the electrical signal comprises pulses having the energy-efficient waveform,
- wherein the energy-efficient waveform is more energy-efficient than a hypothetical pulse having a rectangular waveform but otherwise having the same parameter settings as the energy-efficient waveform.
A neuromodulation apparatus, comprising:
- an electrode comprising an electrode contact;
- and
- an implantable pulse generator coupled to the electrode;
- wherein the pulse generator is programmed to apply an electrical signal to the electrode contact, the electrical signal comprising pulses having an energy-efficient waveform,
- wherein the energy-efficient waveform is more energy-efficient than a hypothetical pulse having a rectangular waveform but otherwise having the same parameter settings as the energy-efficient waveform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.