Implantable infrared nerve stimulation devices for peripheral and cranial nerve interfaces

Abstract

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This invention claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of[0002]U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 349,810 filed May 28, 2010, by Jonathon D. Wells et al., titled “Implantable Infrared Nerve Stimulation Devices for Peripheral and Cranial Nerve Interfaces” (Attorney Docket 5032.064PV1);[0003]U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 349,813 filed May 28, 2010, by Jonathon D. Wells et al., titled “Laser-Based Nerve Stimulators for, e.g., Hearing Restoration in Cochlear Prostheses” (Attorney Docket 5032.063PV1);[0004]U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 381,933 filed Sep. 10, 2010, by Jonathon D. Wells et al., titled “Laser-Based Nerve Stimulators for, e.g., Hearing Restoration in Cochlear Prostheses” (Attorney Docket 5032.063PV2); and[0005]U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 386,461 filed Sep. 24, 2010, by Jonathon D. Wells et al., titled “Implantable Infrared Nerve Stimulation Devices for Peripheral and Cranial Nerve In...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0053]The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for optically, or optically and electrically, stimulating neurons (e.g., sensory and / or motor neurons) in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and or the central nervous system (CNS) (including the spinal cord and / or brainstem and / or midbrain and / or brain tissue of a living animal) to obtain a physiological response in the animal (e.g., a sense of touch, taste, smell, sight or sound). In some embodiments, the simultaneous application of both an optical stimulation signal and an electrical stimulation signal provides more efficacious generation of NAP responses in the animal than either optical or electrical stimulation alone. In addition, the much higher precision possible when using optical stimulation permits many more channels of auditory nerve pathways to be individually and distinctly stimulated than is possible using electrical stimulation alone. In some embodiments, the application of an electrical field before or during the application of the optical stimulation pulse permits more reliable generation of nerve-action-potential signals than is possible using the optical signal pulse alone, and permits reliable generation of NAP signals.

[0054]One purpose of the present peripheral nervous system (PNS) and / or the central nervous system (CNS) optical stimulator or hybrid stimulator (wherein the hybrid stimulator uses both optical and electrical stimulation) is to provide sensory sensations and / or motor responses for patients who have sensory neuron or motor neuron impairment. Another use of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for conducting basic and clinical research on how to improve the performance of PNS and CNS neural implants using infrared laser technology, optionally also using simultaneous electrical stimulation. The optical PNS and CNS neural stimulator can also be used as a powerful research tool to stimulate discrete regions and neuronal populations without the concerns of shock artifact, a phenomenon that is inherent to electrical-stimulation paradigms.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of using electrical stimulation is that the electrical signal applied to stimulate one nerve fiber will generally stimulate a plurality of surrounding nerve fibers (even nerve fibers in other fascicles than the fascicle containing the nerve of interest) to also trigger NAP signals in those other nerve fibers: Present conventional neuromodulation technology is based on the generation of electric fields around the neuron.

This causes the voltage distribution to be fairly uniform within at least a portion of a fascicle (while also being electrically isolated from neighboring fascicles), hence limiting the possibility of sub-fascicular selectivity when using electrical stimulation.

Injuries resulting from an anterior spinal cord injury that include damage to the front of the spinal cord affect pain, temperature, and touch sensation, but leave some pressure and joint sensation, and wherein often motor function is unaffected.

In some injuries, sensory loss below the site of the spinal injury and loss of bladder control may occur.

Symptoms of large nerve fiber damage may include paralysis and / or loss of fine control of movements in the arms and hands, with relatively less impairment of leg movements.

The spinal contusion results in inflammation and bleeding in the spinal column near the site of the injury which can kill spinal cord neurons.

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