151 results about "Sensory nerve" patented technology

A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic affect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversible a block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.

A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic affect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversible a block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.

A method comprises conveying a pulsed waveform between an electrode and a stimulation site of a spinal cord, thereby evoking the antidromic propagation of action potentials along a first sensory neural fiber creating a therapeutic effect in the tissue region, evoking the orthodromic propagation of action potentials along the first sensory neural fiber potentially creating paresthesia corresponding to the tissue region, and evoking the antidromic propagation of action potentials along a second sensory neural fiber potentially creating a side-effect in another tissue region. The method further comprises conveying electrical energy between an electrode and a blocking site rostral to the stimulation site, thereby blocking the action potentials propagated along the first sensory neural fiber and reducing the paresthesia, and conveying electrical energy between an electrode and a blocking site caudal to the stimulation site, thereby blocking the action potentials propagated along the second sensory neural fiber and reducing the side-effect.

The pain associated with an injection or minor surgical procedure at a site on the skin of a patient is reduced by urging a skin engaging surface of a pressure member against the skin proximate the site, thereby stimulating the large diameter afferent sensory nerve fibers in the skin proximate the site and at least partially blocking pain signals from the small diameter afferent pain nerve fibers in the skin proximate the site. An apparatus for use in this method comprises a pressure member having a skin engaging surface adapted to be pressed against the skin of a patient proximate the site to stimulate the large diameter afferent sensory nerve fibers in the skin proximate the site. In certain embodiments, the skin engaging surface is comprised of a plurality of projections extending from the pressure member. Various embodiments include a syringe retainer adapted to be secured to a syringe, and a least one resilient member, such as a spring, resiliently securing the pressure member to the syringe retainer.

An electrotherapy system for stimulating sensory nerves within skin tissue includes a electrode carrier, a pulse generator, an array of skin-penetrating electrodes and surface skin electrodes, a pulse conditioning circuit, and a power source. The system administers biphasic pulsed current at the surface skin electrodes and monophasic pulsed current at each skin-penetrating electrode. The skin-penetrating surfaces and skin contact surfaces of the electrotherapy system may be sterilized or may be replaceable for outpatient reusability.

A leakage detection system for use in an implantable cardiac stimulation device, such as a cardioverter defibrillator. The leakage detection system includes a switch bank and a controller that regulates the switching arrangements of various switches. The leakage detection system causes pulse generators to generate a pulse-train waveform comprised of a sequence of pulses of opposite polarities, and to deliver these pulses in a preselected temporal relation. The controller detects the current leakage from the pulse generator to the tissues by sensing and analyzing the voltage or current of the pulse generator, leads, and electrodes. The pulsatility and alternating polarities of biphasic pulse-train waveforms increase the stimulation threshold of the motor or sensory nerves and excitable tissues.

Electrical stimulation of specific sensory nerves to control the filling and / or emptying of the urinary bladder. A wireless, injectable microstimulator is implanted into the soft tissues through which the sensory nerves pass, but where they are not normally accessible by conventional open surgical implantation of conventional electrical stimulators or electrodes with leads. In males, the dorsal penile nerves 6 are stimulated by a microstimulator injected into the dorsal quadrant of the penis. The activity induced in these nerves cause the spinal cord to generate reflex responses that result in relaxation of the detrusor muscle, increasing bladder capacity and preventing incontinence as a result of inappropriate bladder contractions. The sensory nerves, such as urethral afferents 4, supplying the urethra are stimulated by a microstimulator implanted into the corpus of the penis, adjacent to the urethra. The activity induced in the urethral afferents 4 cause the spinal cord to generate reflex responses that result in contractions of the detrusor muscle and relaxation of the sphincter 5, emptying the bladder.

Medical devices, systems, and methods for pain management and other applications may apply cooling with at least one probe inserted through an exposed skin surface of skin. The cooling may remodel one or more target tissues so as to effect a desired change in composition of the target tissue and / or a change in its behavior, often to interfere with transmission of pain signals along sensory nerves. Alternative embodiments may interfere with the function of motor nerves, the function of contractile muscles, and / or some other tissue included in the contractile function chain so as to inhibit muscle contraction and thereby alleviate associated pain. In some embodiments, other sources of pain such as components of the spine (optionally including herniated disks) may be treated.

Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and / or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and / or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.

A method comprises conveying a pulsed waveform between an electrode and a stimulation site of a spinal cord, thereby evoking the antidromic propagation of action potentials along a first sensory neural fiber creating a therapeutic effect in the tissue region, evoking the orthodromic propagation of action potentials along the first sensory neural fiber potentially creating paresthesia corresponding to the tissue region, and evoking the antidromic propagation of action potentials along a second sensory neural fiber potentially creating a side-effect in another tissue region. The method further comprises conveying electrical energy between an electrode and a blocking site rostral to the stimulation site, thereby blocking the action potentials propagated along the first sensory neural fiber and reducing the paresthesia, and conveying electrical energy between an electrode and a blocking site caudal to the stimulation site, thereby blocking the action potentials propagated along the second sensory neural fiber and reducing the side-effect.

A non-invasive vagal stimulation device and method. The device comprises a body having a vibration member. The stimulation is created by the vibration member which has a vibratory rate that can be adjusted from being off to a preferred operating range. The non-invasive stimulation method consists of placing the non-invasive stimulation device in the vicinity of the carotid artery bifrication where arises a carotid sinus and body which contain afferent sensory nerves that travel to medulla oblongata of brain, and either applying pressure in place, or moving the device along the target arm. The method can be accomplished either with the vibration feature of the device turned on or off.

A non-invasive vagal stimulation device and method. The device comprises a body having a vibration member. The stimulation is created by the vibration member which has a vibratory rate that can be adjusted from being off to a preferred operating range. The non-invasive stimulation method consists of placing the non-invasive stimulation device in the vicinity of the carotid artery bifrication where arises a carotid sinus and body which contain afferent sensory nerves that travel to medulla oblongata of brain, and either applying pressure in place, or moving the device along the target arm. The method can be accomplished either with the vibration feature of the device turned on or off.

Medical devices, systems, and methods for pain management and other applications may apply cooling with at least one probe inserted through an exposed skin surface of skin. The cooling may remodel one or more target tissues so as to effect a desired change in composition of the target tissue and / or a change in its behavior, often to interfere with transmission of pain signals along sensory nerves. Alternative embodiments may interfere with the function of motor nerves, the function of contractile muscles, and / or some other tissue included in the contractile function chain so as to inhibit muscle contraction and thereby alleviate associated pain. In some embodiments, other sources of pain such as components of the spine (optionally including herniated disks) may be treated.

Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and / or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and / or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.

A method in which a location is determined on the skin that is proximate to a sensory nerve that is associated with a painful condition. At least one needle of a cryogenic device is inserted into the location on the skin such that the needle is proximate to the sensory nerve. The device is activated such that the at least one needle creates a cooling zone about the sensory nerve, thereby eliminating or reducing severity of the painful condition.

The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatuses for effecting excitation or inhibition of small sensory nerve fibers, such as C-afferent fibers, by electrical stimulation of nerves innervating the pancreas in diabetic subjects. In an aspect the methods are directed to effecting insulin production and for the treatment of diabetes. This invention includes a closed or open loop feedback control system in which biomarker levels are monitored in order to direct electrical stimulation. An implantable or external neural stimulation device is also provided.

A non-invasive product customization system and a method of customizing a product formulation is provided. Brain activity of a user is detected in response to an input of a product formulation into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system of the user. A mental state of the user is detected based on the detected brain activity. The product formulation is modified based on the determined mental state of the user. The modified product formulation may be presented to the user in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user.

The present disclosure provides, according to some embodiments, methods and systems for selectively reducing, blocking or inhibiting at least part of the neural activity in an organ of a subject. In preferred embodiments, the method and system are used for selectively blocking at least part of the neural activity in a duodenum of a subject in need thereof. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking comprises causing damage to at least part of sensory nerves located within a target area while maintaining functional activity of tissue surrounding the sensory nerves. According to some embodiments, the sensory nerves include neurons configured to transmit signals triggered by food passing through the duodenum, such as, but not limited to, neurohormonal signals.

A method in which a location is determined on the skin that is proximate to a sensory nerve that is associated with a painful condition. At least one needle of a cryogenic device is inserted into the location on the skin such that the needle is proximate to the sensory nerve. The device is activated such that the at least one needle creates a cooling zone about the sensory nerve, thereby eliminating or reducing severity of the painful condition.

A method in which a location is determined on the skin that is proximate to a sensory nerve that is associated with a painful condition. At least one needle of a cryogenic device is inserted into the location on the skin such that the needle is proximate to the sensory nerve. The device is activated such that the at least one needle creates a cooling zone about the sensory nerve, thereby eliminating or reducing severity of the painful condition.

The present invention provides methods of treatment of patients suffering from the complications of blood sugar disorders: diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy by administration of IGF-1 via protein therapy or gene therapy. It relates to methods of treating an individual having a diabetic disorder or a hyperglycemic disorder, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a DNA vector expressing IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec in vivo or an effective amount of at the IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec protein in the early hyperalgesia stage or in patients that have advanced to the hyposensitivity stage. Treatment at the early hyperalgesia stage prevents subsequent hyposensitivity with increases or maintenance of sensory nerve function. IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec treatment also increases muscle mass and improves overall mobility, which indicates a treatment-related improvement in motor function. Treatment with IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec at the hyposensitivity stage reverses hyposensitivity and improves muscle mass and overall health. Systemic IGF-1 provides a therapeutic modality for treating hyposensitivity associated with DPN. In addition, IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec provides a therapeutic modality for treating diabetic nephropathy. IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec improves renal function as evidenced by a modulation in serum albumin concentration and a reduction in urine volume and protein levels. IGF-1Eb or IGF-1Ec also reduces diabetic glomerulosclerosis.

The invention discloses a quaternary ammonium salt compound and a preparation method and application thereof. The invention provides a compound shown in a formula I with a novel structure, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a stereoisomer thereof, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof, or a metabolite thereof. The compound has the advantages of rapid onset of action, long-termlocal anesthesia effect after single administration, sensory nerve block time greater than motor nerve block time, and both long-term local anesthesia effect and selective local anesthesia effect, remarkably reduces side effects of QX314 and QX314 compositions and quaternary ammonium salt compounds with surfactant structural characteristics, and has better safety. Namely, the compound of formula Iand the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used for preparing safe drugs with long-term local anesthesia and selective local anesthesia effects, and have the advantages of long-term local anesthesia, good local anesthesia selectivity, less nerve damage and high safety.

A method in which a location is determined on the skin that is proximate to a sensory nerve that is associated with a painful condition. At least one needle of a cryogenic device is inserted into the location on the skin such that the needle is proximate to the sensory nerve. The device is activated such that the at least one needle creates a cooling zone about the sensory nerve, thereby eliminating or reducing severity of the painful condition.

Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and / or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and / or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.

A modular, scalable, layerable balloon actuator or actuator array. The miniaturized actuator array can be mounted on the hand controls of a surgical robotic system, and pressure or force input is applied to the surgeon's fingers. The input to the fingers is proportional to the applied force or pressure that is sensed on a separate sensor array, which is mounted on the surfaces of the object to be physically manipulated. The force is translated to pressure using a control system, which includes electronic and pneumatic components. The Novel enhanced haptic feedback system enables the detection of force and tactile information on tissues and sutures with high spatial and temporal resolution. This technology shortens the learning curve for MIS training, expands the application of MIS techniques in surgery, and enhances telementoring and teiesurgery applications. The actuator is modular scalable, Iayerable, compact, configurable, flexible, and conformable. It is therefore designed such that it can be adapted to future surgical robotic systems, and can be applied to prosthetics, orthotics, and persons with sensory neuropathy, as well as other robotic applications, simulating machines and apparatus and user-interfacing systems for video-gaming.

The invention relates to a flexible nerve tract electrode, which comprises a flexible substrate, an electrode unit, an electrode lead, a lead welding spot and an insulating layer, wherein the electrode lead is electrically connected with the electrode unit and the lead welding spot; the electrode unit, the electrode lead and the lead welding spot form an electrode assembly together; the electrode assembly is arranged on the flexible substrate; the insulating layer is arranged on the flexible substrate and covers the electrode lead; and the electrode unit is electrically connected with a nerve tract. The invention also relates to a preparation method for the flexible nerve tract electrode. The flexible nerve tract electrode can be used for distinguishing moving nerve tracts and sensory nerve tracts in a nerve trunk, and can realize functions of a nerve cannula and provide space protection for growth of broken and injured nerves; functional electrical stimulation can be applied to the broken and injured nerves, so that the growth of the broken and injured nerves is accelerated; and the repair state of the broken and injured nerves can be monitored in real time by acquiring electrical physiological information at two ends of the broken and injured nerves. Moreover, the flexible nerve tract electrode can also be used for acquiring nerve information of normal nerve tracts to realize intelligent control of external instruments.

A method of stimulating sensory nerves is disclosed that comprises the steps of providing an electrode plate with a pattern of needle-like (NL) electrodes and conductive plate (CP) electrodes disposed on a front face of the plate element, the NL electrodes being configured to apply electrical stimulation to cutaneous Aδ / C fibers, and the CP electrodes being configured to apply electrical stimulation to cutaneous Aβ fibers; mounting the electrode plate on a patient's skin with the front face in an abutting relationship with the patient's skin, the abutting relationship causing the NL electrodes to penetrate the epidermis of the patient's skin; and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's skin via the pattern of NL electrodes and CP electrodes, the electrical stimulation being applied so that Aβ fiber input from the CP electrodes overlaps in time at the patient's spinal cord and / or brain stem with Aδ / C fiber input from the NL electrodes.

A pain sensory nerve stimulation apparatus includes: an electrode portion including: a first electrode, a tip end of which is adapted to be inserted into a skin; and at lease one second electrode which is disposed in a circumference of the first electrode without being electrically conductive with the first electrode, and which is adapted to be in contact with a skin; and a pulse signal supplier, supplying a pulse signal in which an electrical polarity of the first electrode is set as a anode and an electrical polarity of the second electrode is set as a cathode.

Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and / or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and / or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and / or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and / or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.