Case Western Reserve University

Vanderbilt University

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

Boston Scientific Corporation

Niloy Bhadra

Kevin L Kilgore

Narendra Bhadra

Tina L Vrabec

Jesse S Wainright

Manfred Franke

Scott Lempka

Douglas Michael Ackermann, Jr

Joe H Payer

Hillel Judah Chiel

Eric Duco Jansen

Emilie Lothet

Mike Jenkins

Tina Vrabec

Thomas Eggers

Jesse Wainright

Douglas Michael Ackermann

David M Roberts

Laura Shaw

Nerendra Bhadra

The present disclose relates to intravertebral electrical block of spinal transmission of neural signals (at least a portion of sensory signals from the peripheral nervous system and/or at least a portion of motor signals to the peripheral nervous system). At least one intravertebral electrode can be located at a level of a spinal cord of a subject. At least one waveform generator can be coupled to the at least one intravertebral electrode and configured to generate an electrical signal that is sent to the at least one intravertebral electrode for application to the level of the spinal cord of the subject.

Intravertebral direct current block of spinal transmission of neural signals

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

A modified nerve cuff electrode is designed to enhance the stability of neural recording and/or nerve stimulation. Any nerve cuff electrode includes a nerve cuff and a plurality of electrodes within the nerve cuff. While traditional nerve cuff electrodes have every one of the plurality of electrode contacts on the inner surface of the nerve cuff, in the modified nerve cuff electrode each of an inner surface and an outer surface of the nerve cuff has at least one electrode contact. The at least one electrode contact on the outer surface can be electrically isolated from the peripheral nerve to provide a stable reference or ground during recording or a stable pathway for a return current during stimulation to enhance the stability of the recording or the stimulation.

Modified nerve cuff electrode design for stable recording and/or stimulation

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

Systems and methods that deliver a continuous partial nerve conduction block are described. A waveform generator can configure one or more direct current (DC) waveforms to provide a continuous partial nerve conduction block. One or more electrodes can deliver the one or more DC waveforms to provide the partial block to the neural structure. Feedback can be provided to the waveform generator related to the partial block. The feedback includes monitoring a property associated with the partial block and altering a parameter associated with the one or more direct current waveforms in response to the property associated with the partial block.

Partial nerve conduction block using a 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 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

The present disclosure relates to subcutaneous direct current (DC) nerve conduction block. A subcutaneous electrode can be implanted under a subject's skin between the subject's skin and a neural structure within the subject's body. The subcutaneous electrode can be coupled to a current generator. A DC can be configured by the current generator and delivered through the subcutaneous electrode to block conduction in the neural structure. The subcutaneous electrode eliminates an effect of an impedance of the subject's skin on the DC. The DC can be returned to the current generator by a return electrode.

Subcutaneous direct current nerve conduction block

Artifacts due to delivery of an electrical signal (e.g., for neural stimulation or nerve block) can be eliminated from neural recordings. An activating stimulus (AS) can be applied by at least one neural electrode located at a first position within a body or a preparation proximal to a neural structure. The AS includes an electrical waveform configured to affect (e.g., stimulate or block) conduction in the neural structure. A counter stimulus (CS) can be applied by at least one electrode located at a second position within the body or the preparation remote from the neural structure. The CS includes an electrical waveform configured with a timing parameter and an amplitude parameter selected based on a feature of the AS. Artifacts due to the AS can be blocked by the CS during the neural recordings.

Elimination of artifacts due to delivery of an electrical signal from neural recordings

The occurrence of negative consequences (e.g., painful tetanic muscle contractions) associated with the onset response associated with kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) electrical nerve block can be reduced by fatiguing a muscle (through depletion of neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction, within a second) before applying KHFAC electrical nerve block to a nerve associated with the muscle. The nerve can first be stimulated with an electrical signal for a first time period to fatigue the muscle. Then, immediately following the first time period (while the muscle is fatigued), a blocking electrical signal (e.g., a kilohertz frequency alternating current waveform) can be applied to the nerve to create a localized nerve block.

Fatiguing a muscle to reduce onset response

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.

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Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

Niloy Bhadra