Method for causing stochastic depolarization in the spinal cord to inhibit transmission of synchronous action potentials

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9950165-B2
Application number	US-201615191214-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2016
Priority date	Jan 30, 2012
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

This invention provides a new technology for management of back pain by stimulating the spinal cord in a manner that renders it refractory to transmission of deleterious or undesirable sensory input. The electrical stimulus comprises high frequency pulses in a regular or complex pattern or that are stochastically produced under microprocessor control. The stimulus is applied directly to the surface of the spinal cord from within the spinal canal, which provides important benefits over previous technology. The stimulus alleviates symptoms and signs of back pain, while minimizing the risk of side effects such as paresthesia, and potentially minimizing the effects on motor neuron transmission and proprioception.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for causing stochastic depolarization in the spinal cord of a subject, the subject prone to deleterious nerve signals transmitted within the spinal cord, the method comprising:
applying through a plurality of electrodes arrayed on a physiologically compatible backing that is secured on or about the spinal cord of the subject an electrical stimulus that pulses or alternates with an average frequency of at least 500 Hz; then
adjusting the electrical stimulus so that the electrical stimulus causes stochastic depolarization within the spinal cord.
whereby the stochastic depolarization inhibits transmission of synchronous action potentials initiated within the spinal cord.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising securing the backing upon which the electrodes are arrayed on or about the spinal cord inside the dura so that the electrodes are maintained in direct contact with a desired region of the spinal cord unaffected by movement of the subject.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the backing upon which the electrodes are arrayed has been secured on or about the spinal cord inside the dura so that the electrodes are maintained in direct contact with. a desired region of the spinal cord unaffected by movement of the subject.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the backing is wrapped around the surface of the spinal cord inside the dura, thereby securing the electrodes against the surface of the spinal cord.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the backing is attached to a dentate ligament, thereby securing the electrodes against the surface of the spinal cord.

6. The method of claim 1 . comprising adjusting the frequency of the electrical stimulation so that the electrical stimulus causes stochastic depolarization within the spinal cord.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising adjusting the intensity of the electrical stimulation so that the electrical stimulus causes stochastic depolarization within the spinal cord.

8. The method of claim 1 , comprising adjusting the manner of application of the electrical stimulus so that the electrical stimulus causes stochastic depolarization within the spinal cord.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the average frequency is at least 2,000 Hz.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the average frequency is about 1,000 Hz.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulus comprises a potential that varies in a nonuniform pattern or at stochastic intervals.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring transmission of synchronous action potentials through the spinal cord, and adjusting the electrical stimulus so as to inhibit transmission through the spinal cord of synchronous action potentials as detected by the monitoring.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulus is applied so as to inhibit sensation of pain by the subject.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulus is applied so as to inhibit symptoms of Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, or congestive heart failure in the subject.

15. A method for causing stochastic depolarization in the spinal cord of a subject, the subject prone to deleterious nerve signals transmitted within the spinal cord, the method comprising:
applying to the spinal cord an electrical stimulus that pulses or alternates with a sufficiently high frequency and intensity to cause stochastic depolarization in the spinal cord, thereby inhibiting transmission of synchronous action potentials within the spinal cord;
wherein the electrical stimulus is applied to the spinal cord by way of an electrode assembly that has been implanted intradurally between the pial surface of the spinal cord and the dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord in such a manner so as not to obstruct flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the spinal cord.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrode assembly is maintained in position by a support structure that is secured to the dura by way of a water-tight dura-traversing lead fitting.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electrode assembly is wired to a power source implanted in the subject outside the dura.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the frequency of the electrical stimulus is between 500 and 5,000 Hz.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrode assembly includes at least one electrode flexibly mounted to a backing or substrate by a soft resilient material so as to allow the electrode to resiliently float or move radially and/or laterally relative to the substrate.

20. A method of preparing a subject for treatment according to the method of claim 15 , the method comprising:
implanting said electrode assembly between the pial surface of the spinal cord and the dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord of the subject; and
connecting the electrode assembly to a power source that is implanted in the subject outside the dura and is electronically configured and programmed to supply said electrical stimulation to the spinal cord of the subject by way of the electrode assembly.

Assignees

• Univ Iowa Res Found

Inventors

• Howard Matthew A

Classifications

• A61N1/36114

  Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation (stimulating the heart A61N1/362) · CPC title

• A61N1/36067

  Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease (stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003) · CPC title

• A61N1/36071 Primary

  Pain · CPC title

• A61N1/06

  for high-frequency therapy · CPC title

• A61N1/36139

  with automatic adjustment · CPC title