Case Western Reserve University

Other

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Jesse S Wainright

Kevin L Kilgore

Niloy Bhadra

Tina L Vrabec

Narendra Bhadra

Manfred Franke

Scott Lempka

Robert F Savinell

Chung-Chiun Liu

Laurie Dudik

Gary E Wnek

Morton H Litt

Xi Shan

Joe H Payer

Enoch A Nagelli

Steven Selverston

Yue Zhang

Vladimir Gurau

Christine Zawodzinski

Tom Zawodzinski

Seth Levine

Nerendra Bhadra

Bhadra Niloy

Chronic pain management can be achieved by electrically anesthetizing a peripheral nerve with on-demand electrical nerve block (OD-ENB). OD-ENB can be provided by an implantable capsule. Externally, at least a portion of the capsule can be constructed of a conductive membrane and the rest of the capsule comprises a biocompatible material. A blocking electrode contact, a return electrode contact, and a powering/communication component can be within the capsule. The blocking electrode contact can deliver a direct current (DC) through a portion of the conductive membrane to block conduction in the neural tissue to provide the OD-ENB. The return electrode contact can receive a return current from the neural tissue through another portion of the conductive membrane. The powering/communication component can communicate with one or more external components located external to the patient's body to receive a power signal. Notably the capsule has no internal battery.

Electrically anesthetizing a peripheral nerve with on-demand electrical nerve block for chronic pain management

Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Therapy delivery devices and methods for non-damaging neural tissue conduction block

Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.

Treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block

Slurry electrodes can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

Slurry electrodes for direct current nerve conduction block

One aspect of the present disclosure is a system including a waveform generator, a controller, and an electrical contact. The waveform generator is for generating an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). The controller is coupled with the waveform generator. The controller is configured to receive an input comprising at least one parameter to adjust the ENCB. The electrical contact is coupled with the waveform generator. The electrical contact is configured to be placed into contact with a nerve. The electrical contact comprises a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electro-chemical products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The electrical contact is configured to deliver the ENCB to the nerve to block transmission of a signal related to a pain through the nerve.

Systems for treatment of a neurological disorder using electrical nerve conduction block

A zinc-iron chloride flow battery relies on mixed, equimolar electrolytes to maintain a consistent open-circuit voltage of about 1.5 V and stable performance during continuous charge-discharge. Considering the good performance relative to the low-cost materials, zinc-iron chloride flow batteries represent a promising new approach in grid-scale and other energy storage applications.

Zinc-iron flow battery

A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.

Composite membranes for flow batteries

The present disclose relates to slurry electrodes that can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

A capacity-expanding separated interface nerve electrode (SINE) can be used to deliver a nerve conduction block to one or more nerves. The SINE can include a source electrode coupled to a waveform generator. The source electrode can deliver an electrical neuromodulation signal (e.g., a direct current (DC) signal) to an ionically conductive medium. The SINE can also include a vessel holding the ionically conductive medium, which can include a material that facilitates a transformation of the electrical neuromodulation signal to an ionic neuromodulation signal with a high charge capacity. The SINE can also include a nerve interface that can deliver the ionic neuromodulation signal to a nerve. The SINE can be used in combination with a return electrode that is also coupled to the waveform generator.

Charge capacity expanding separated interface nerve electrode (SINE)

One aspect of the present disclosure is a system including a waveform generator, a controller, and an electrical contact. The waveform generator is for generating an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). The controller is coupled with the waveform generator. The controller is configured to receive an input comprising at least one parameter to adjust the ENCB. The electrical contact is coupled with the wave-form generator. The electrical contact is configured to be placed into contact with a nerve. The electrical contact comprises a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electro-chemical products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The electrical contact is configured to deliver the ENCB to the nerve to block transmission of a signal related to a pain through the nerve.

The present disclose generally relates to high-charge capacity electrodes that include a substrate and a coating covering at least a portion of the substrate that includes active particles held together by a biocompatible binding material. One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a current generator that generates a direct current (DC). The system can also include a high-charge capacity electrode that can be coupled to the current generator to deliver the DC to block conduction in a nerve.

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, OH, United States of America

Jesse S Wainright