Case Western Reserve University

Vanderbilt University

Emilie Lothet

Hillel Judah Chiel

Eric Duco Jansen

Kevin L Kilgore

Niloy Bhadra

Narendra Bhadra

Tina L Vrabec

Mike Jenkins

Michael W Jenkins

Stephen J Lewis

Junqi Zhuo

Gjinovefa Kola

Junqi Zhou

The present disclosure relates to modulating neural activity within brainstem circuitry to evoke a certain bodily function (e.g., cardiorespiratory response) in a patient. A controller can configure a light signal (such as an infrared light signal) to deliver an amount of radiant exposure to a specific portion of the brainstem for a time. The specific portion of the brainstem can include brainstem circuitry that is the control center for the certain bodily function. The configured light signal can be delivered to the specific portion of the brainstem by an optrode for the time. During application, the light signal can deliver the amount of radiant exposure to the specific portion of the brainstem to evoke the certain bodily function.

Modulating neural activity in brainstem circuitry with light

One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can quickly and reversibly block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a first nerve block modality that provides heat to the nerve to block conduction in the nerve. For example, the heat can provide the quick nerve block. The system can also include a second nerve block modality that provides an electrical signal to the nerve to block the conduction in the nerve. For example, the electrical signal can provide the reversibility. In some instances, the heat can be provided by an infrared light signal and the electrical signal can be provided by a kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) signal or a direct current (DC) signal.

Systems and methods for fast and reversible nerve block

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, OH, United States of America

Emilie Lothet