Method and system for blocking nerve conduction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9358374-B2
Application number	US-201514683198-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 10, 2015
Priority date	Dec 5, 2007
Publication date	Jun 7, 2016
Grant date	Jun 7, 2016

Abstract

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by cyclical blocking of conduction in peripheral neural structures are disclosed. Neural activity may blocked cyclically by blocking stimuli delivered via various types of blocking stimulus sources. In an aspect, a conduction block is produced in a sensory nerve. Neural modulation may be used, for example, to modulate an undesired sensation, such as pain, or an immune or inflammatory response or process. Delivery of blocking stimuli may be controlled in part in response to an input from a user input device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A neural modulation system comprising:
a blocking stimulus source adapted to produce a blocking stimulus configured to reversibly block conduction in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of a subject;
a first signal input structure adapted to receive a user input signal indicative of an instruction from a user regarding operation of the neural modulation system to deliver the blocking stimulus, the user input signal transmitted from a user input device adapted to receive a user input from the user of the neural modulation system;
a second signal input structure adapted to receive an activity signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a sensor operatively connected to the signal input structure; and
signal processing circuitry adapted to
receive the user input signal from the first signal input structure;
modify operation of the neural modulation system responsive to receipt of the user input signal;
distinguish a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the activity signal received at the second signal input structure; and
generate a blocking stimulus control signal for driving production of the blocking stimulus by the stimulus source, the blocking stimulus configured to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state.

2. The neural modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the blocking stimulus source is adapted to be implanted in the body of the subject.

3. The neural modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the blocking stimulus source is adapted to be positioned on or substantially adjacent to the body of the subject.

4. The neural modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the blocking stimulus source includes at least one of an electrical blocking stimulus source, a magnetic blocking stimulus source, an ultrasonic blocking stimulus source, an optical blocking stimulus source, a thermal blocking stimulus source, and a chemical blocking stimulus source.

5. The neural modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the first signal input structure is adapted to receive a signal from at least one of a user controlled intermediate device, a cell phone, a computer, and a remote controller.

6. The neural modulation system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first signal input structure and the second signal input structure is adapted to receive at least one of an analog signal, a digital signal, an optical signal, an acoustic signal, an electromagnetic signal, an inductively transmitted signal, a wirelessly transmitted signal, and a signal transmitted via a wired connection.

7. The neural modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the first signal input structure is adapted to receive at least one of a user input signal indicative of an instruction from the user to override delivery of the blocking stimulus, a user input signal indicative of an instruction from the user to modify a pattern of delivery of the blocking stimulus, and a user input signal indicative of an instruction from the user to modify a definition of at least one of the first activity state and the second activity state.

8. A neural modulation system comprising:
a blocking stimulus source adapted to produce a blocking stimulus configured to reversibly block conduction in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of the subject;
a user input device adapted to receive a user input from a user of the neural modulation system, the user input indicative of an instruction from the user regarding operation of the neural modulation system to deliver the blocking stimulus;
a signal input structure adapted to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a sensor operatively connected to the signal input structure;
signal processing circuitry adapted to
receive a signal indicative of the instruction from the user regarding operation of the neural modulation system;
modify operation of the neural modulation system responsive to receipt of the signal indicative of the instruction from the user;
distinguish a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and
generate a blocking stimulus control signal for driving production of the blocking stimulus by the stimulus source, the blocking stimulus configured to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state.

9. The neural modulation system of claim 8 , wherein the blocking stimulus source includes at least one of an electrical blocking stimulus source, a magnetic blocking stimulus source, an ultrasonic blocking stimulus source, an optical blocking stimulus source, a thermal blocking stimulus source, and a chemical blocking stimulus source.

10. The neural modulation system of claim 8 , wherein the signal input structure is adapted to receive the signal indicative of the activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the sensor via at least one of a wireless connection, an optical connection, an acoustic connection, an electromagnetic connection, and a wired connection.

11. The neural modulation system of claim 8 , wherein the user input device includes at least one of a voice activated input, a sound activated input, a switch, a knob, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, at least a portion of a cell phone, at least a portion of a remote controller, and at least a portion of a computer.

12. The neural modulation system of claim 8 , wherein the user input is indicative of at least one of an instruction from the user to override delivery of the blocking stimulus, an instruction from the user to modify a pattern of delivery of the blocking stimulus, and an instruction from the user to modify a definition of at least one of the first activity state and the second activity state.

13. A method of controlling a neural modulation system comprising:
receiving at a first signal input structure a user input signal indicative of an instruction from a user regarding operation of a neural modulation system to deliver a blocking stimulus configured to reversibly block conduction in at least a portion of a peripheral neural structure of a subject, the user input signal transmitted from a user input device adapted to receive a user input indicative of the instruction from the user;
receiving at a second signal input structure an activity signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a sensor operatively connected to the signal input structure;
modifying operation of the neural modulation system responsive to receipt of the user input signal;
distinguishing a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the activity signal received at the second si

Assignees

• Searete Llc
• Gearbox Llc

Inventors

• Dacey Jr Ralph G
• Della Rocca Gregory J
• Derdeyn Colin P
• Dowling Joshua L
• Goodall Eleanor V
• Hyde Roderick A
• Ishikawa Muriel Y
• Kare Jordin T
• Leuthardt Eric C
• Myhrvold Nathan P
• Smith Michael A
• Wood Jr Lowell L
• Wood Victoria Y H
• Zipfel Gregory J

Classifications

• A61N1/37252

  Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data · CPC title

• A61M35/10

  Wearable devices, e.g. garments, glasses or masks · CPC title

• A61N1/36135

  using physiological parameters · CPC title

• A61M2205/0244

  Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology · CPC title

• A61B5/4035

  Evaluating the autonomic nervous system · CPC title