Method and apparatus for the treatment of focal dystonia
OwnerMichael J. Pitmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for using low levels of electrical stimulation to treat focal dystonia by stimulating the afferent nervous system and/or altering the function of the gamma motor neurons innervating muscles which experience symptomatic spasms.
Claims20
A method of treating focal dystonia comprising:
- a. providing a system comprising a stimulating electrode operably connected with a processor configured to set one or more stimulation parameters for an electrical impulse deliverable by the electrode;
- b. placing the electrode in operative electrical contact with at least one neuron innervating at least one muscle;
- c. using the processor to set the stimulation parameters such that the electrical impulse causes a level of stimulation which does not exceed an excitability threshold of one or more alpha motor neurons located within the at least one muscle;
- and
- d. delivering the electrical impulse to the at least one neuron, wherein the electrical impulse acts upon one or more gamma motor neurons located within the at least one muscle.
A method of treating focal dystonia comprising using an electrode in communication with a processor to deliver an electrical impulse to at least one neuron innervating at least one muscle, wherein the impulse delivers a level of stimulation that is below an excitability threshold of alpha motor neurons innervating the at least one muscle, and wherein the electrical impulse acts upon one or more afferent neurons.
A system for treating focal dystonia comprising an electrode configured to deliver an electrical impulse to at least one neuron innervating at least one muscle, the electrode being in communication with a processor configured to set one or more stimulation parameters governing the electrical impulse, wherein the processor causes the electrical impulse to deliver a level of stimulation to the at least one neuron, the level of stimulation being below an excitability threshold of alpha neurons innervating the muscle, and wherein the electrical impulse acts upon one or more muscle spindles located within the at least one muscle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.