665 results about "Peripheral nerve" patented technology

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making such apparatus for providing controlled and directional stimulation patterns for tissue stimulation. The apparatus may be useful in stimulation nervous tissue in the brain, about the spinal cord, on nerve roots, about peripheral nerves, and in muscles, among others. The apparatus includes a implantable pulse generator connected to a lead. The lead has electrodes placed about a perimeter. In addition, the lead may include electrodes placed longitudinally along the axis of the lead. By applying charge differences between circumferentially distributed electrodes, a smaller stimulation field may be established. In addition, by stimulating between electrodes distributed longitudinally on the same side, a directional flow field may be established. Such leads are especially useful in deep brain stimulation as the region in which a stimulation field is strong enough to produce tissue stimulation is directional and minimized.

A neurostimulating lead is provided for use in stimulating the spinal chord, spinal nerves, or peripheral nerves or for use in deep brain stimulation that comprises an elongated, flexible lead having improved steerability properties. The lead includes a plurality of thin-film metal electrodes connected by conductors embedded within the wall of the lead to electrical contacts at the proximal end of the lead. The lead is further designed to include an internal lumen for use with a guidewire in an over-the-wire lead placement.

The present invention provides methods of directly stimulating neural tissue with optical energy. By stimulating neural tissue at wavelengths, laser pulses, and spot sizes disclosed herein, nerve stimulation may be used to uniquely stimulate neural tissue in way not afforded by other means of stimulation. It can allow basic scientists to study the properties of individual neurons or populations of neurons without piercing tissue with fragile microelectrodes. Furthermore, responses of neural tissue can be studied in a pure fashion without contamination by electrical artifact commonly seen with electrical stimulation. With respect to clinical uses, optical stimulation can be used to map function in subsections of peripheral nerves as an aid to operative repair. Finally, stimulation with optical energy does not require physical contact with the nerve which may be an advantage clinically when physical manipulation of neural tissue is not desired.

Intraoperative devices are described that assist the surgeon in identifying the location and characteristics of tissues and structures. Devices are also described that have the added capability of marking the location of the identified tissues and structures. This invention also includes devices that can selectively ablate adjacent tissues while avoiding damage and trauma to the identified tissues and structures by combining ablation with sensing, where sensing of either tissue properties, markings made by another device or surgeon, or a reference probe can be used. Devices are also described that protect tissue in the proximity of reference markings or probes by closed loop inhibition of the ablation process. The devices, systems, methods and kits described are adapted and configured to facilitate locating a target structure or target tissue within a body of a mammal, including nerves, peripheral nerves, blood vessels, and tubes such as the ureter. The devices, systems and methods may discriminate between different tissues by exploiting the electrical, mechanical, and physiological properties of the body.

A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension with electrostimulation of peripheral nerves. Treatment is performed by periodically stimulating a nerve such as a median nerve. Apparatus for stimulation is permanently implanted in the body. The nerve is stimulated by electric current applied to electrodes that are placed near the target nerve or the muscle innervated by the target nerve.

A robotic system for performing minimally invasive spinal stabilization, using two screws inserted in oblique trajectories from an inferior vertebra pedicle into the adjacent superior vertebra body. The procedure is less traumatic than such procedures performed using open back surgery, by virtue of the robot used to guide the surgeon along a safe trajectory, avoiding damage to nerves surrounding the vertebrae. The robot arm is advantageous since no access is provided in a minimally invasive procedure for direct viewing of the operation site, and the accuracy required for oblique entry can readily be achieved only using robotic control. This robotic system also obviates the need for a large number of fluoroscope images to check drill insertion position relative to the surrounding nerves. Disc cleaning tools with flexible wire heads are also described. The drilling trajectory is determined by comparing fluoroscope images to preoperative images showing the planned path.

Systems and methods are described for treating metabolic syndrome and / or Type 2 diabetes, and / or one or more of their attendant conditions, by neural stimulation. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator is electrically coupled to a peripheral nerve, such as the splanchnic nerve. Neural stimulation configured to either block transmission or stimulate transmission of the peripheral nerve may be used to treat metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

An implantable medical lead for spinal cord, peripheral nerve or deep brain stimulation comprises a lead body which includes a deformable sigma segment preferably in the shape of a sine wave and a lead paddle coupled to the lead body at the distal end thereof. The lead body at its proximal end may be coupled to an implantable pulse generator, additional, intermediate wiring or other stimulation device. The lead paddle may comprise a plurality of electrode contacts for providing electrical stimulation to targeted human tissue. The lead body, which defines the sigma segment, in a plane, couples the lead paddle and pulse generator. The sigma segment provides flexing and bending of the wire when a patient shifts or moves, and especially provides longitudinal extension between the pulse generator and lead paddle.

A peripheral nerve stimulator can be used to stimulate a peripheral nerve to treat essential tremor, Parkinson tremor, and other forms of tremor. The peripheral nerve stimulator can be either a noninvasive surface stimulator or an implanted stimulator. Stimulation can be electrical, mechanical, or chemical. Stimulation can be delivered using either an open loop system or a closed loop system with feedback.

An implantable electrical lead for applying stimulation energy to bodily tissue, such as a patient's nervous system, from an external power source. The lead is defined by a distal section, an intermediate section and a proximal section, and includes a lead body, a plurality of insulated wires, and a plurality of connector elements. The lead body includes a plurality of electrodes and an anchoring device. The insulated wires are electrically coupled to the electrodes, respectively. A wire intermediate segment extends proximal the lead body and is characterized as having a non-coiled configuration, terminating at a respective connector element for coupling to an external power source. The wire intermediate segments are extendible through a patient's skin and are sealable relative to the skin. The lead is adapted for providing temporary electrical stimulation to a sacral nerve in a bipolar mode, with the anchoring device inhibiting electrode migration.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling an entity in response to activity in a peripheral nerve comprising a plurality of fascicles. A multicontact electrode assembly is configured to record activity from the peripheral nerve. A processing component includes a sensor mapping component configured to quantify activity associated with a proper subset of the plurality of fascicles, an evaluation component configured to determine an adjustment of the status of the controlled entity from the quantified activity of the proper subset of the plurality of fascicles, and a controller configured to provide a control signal, representing the adjustment of the status of the controlled entity, to the controlled entity.

An automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism and a sensor used to determine an internal characteristic such as a force or internal pressure generated during an injection process. This characteristic is then used as a control parameter by a microprocessor or controller to determine the exit pressure of the fluid expelled by the device. This exit pressure is then used to identify the kind of tissue in which the injection is being introduced.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the detection of neural or muscular activity, analysis of the signals and the subsequent stimulating of neural or muscular tissue based thereon. According to a first aspect of the invention an apparatus for producing a muscular action is provided, comprising a combined sensing and stimulation electrode device comprising at least one neurosense electrode means capable of sensing a nerve signal from a peripheral nerve and at least one stimulation electrode means capable of stimulating a peripheral motor nerve fiber, means for receiving and processing the sensed neurosignals to identify a signal indicative of a specific action, especially a component of the gait performed by the patient and for producing a control signal in response thereto, and means for operating the at least one stimulation electrode means in response to the control signal to produce a stimulation of a peripheral motor nerve fiber.

The invention provides fibrin-based, biocompatible materials useful in promoting cell growth, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. These materials are provided as part of several cell and tissue scaffolding structures that provide particular application for use in wound-healing and tissue regenerating. Methods for preparing these compositions and using them are also disclosed as part of the invention. A variety of peptides may be used in conjunction with the practice of the invention, in particular, the peptide IKVAV, and variants thereof. Generally, the compositions may be described as comprising a protein network (e.g., fibrin) and a peptide having an amino acid sequence that comprises a transglutaminase substrate domain (e.g., a factor XIIIa substrate domain) and a bioactive factor (e.g., a peptide or protein, such as a polypeptide growth factor), the peptide being covalently bound to the protein network. Other applications of the technology include their use on implantable devices (e.g., vascular graphs), tissue and cell scaffolding. Other applications include use in surgical adhesive or sealant, as well as in peripheral nerve regeneration and angiogenesis.

The invention relates to the use of monoclonal antibodies that only recognise the O-acetylated form of the GD2 ganglioside, or fragments of said antibody, for the diagnosis and the treatment of cancers in which the cells express the O-acetylated GD2, said antibody or said fragment recognising the O-acetylated GD2 molecules expressed by the tumoral cells and not recognising the GD2 molecules expressed at the surface of the peripheral nerves, in order to increase the specificity of the diagnosis and reduce the toxicity of the treatments. The invention also relates to artificially modified antibodies advantageously used for treating and diagnosing cancers in which the cells express the O-acetylated GD2.

The invention discloses a wearable hand function rehabilitation robot, which is mainly used for assisting the repeated movement function rehabilitation training of the patient with hand movement function disorder which is caused by stroke, brain trauma, spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve injury in communities or families. The robot system extracts the active movement will of the patient by detecting the multi-channel surface myoelectric signals of the affected hand and obtains the state of the affected limb by combining the data which is measured by an angle and force sensor to carry out the rehabilitation training of the affected hand by pneumatic muscle contraction assistance by using the intelligent control algorithm on the basis. The rehabilitation robot has multiple degrees of freedom, which can assist the affected hand to carry out multi-joint complex movement and inosculate the multi-sensor data information fusion during the rehabilitation process to be further used for the evaluation of rehabilitation effect, and the activity and the training interest of the patient can be improved by using the rehabilitation treatment virtual environment on a computer. The invention has the advantages of simple structure, flexible movement, safety and reliability, which can not only realize the rehabilitation training of the movement function of the affected hand, but can also be in line with the physiologic structure characteristics of human hands. The invention is more comfortable to wear.

A system and / or method for treating auditory dysfunction by somatosensory system stimulation. The system and / or method comprises a probe and a device to stimulate the probe. The probe has a stimulation portion implanted in communication with a predetermined peripheral nerve site. The stimulation portion of the probe may be implanted in contact with a peripheral nerve dorsal root ganglia, cranial nerve or dermatome area, for example C2 dermatome area or a trigeminal dermatome area. The stimulation portion may be a laminotomy, paddle, surgical, or multiple electrode lead. The device to stimulate the probe may be implanted subcutaneously or transcutaneously.

A grooved electrode adapted for interfacing cellular matter is provided. The grooved electrode includes grooves adapted for electrically interfacing the grooved electrode with cellular matter growing along the body of the grooved electrode. Further, the grooved electrode includes a wireless transponder adapted to electrically interface with cellular matter and to relay such interactions via RF signals. The RF signals received by the wireless transponder are modulated in response to electrical signals generated by the cellular matter, which are detected by the transponder. The grooved electrode may be implanted within peripheral nerves for treating various neurological conditions, which may include nerve rehabilitation and prosthetic actuation, severe pain, obstructive sleep apnea and so forth.

A robotic system for performing minimally invasive spinal stabilization, using two screws inserted in oblique trajectories from an inferior vertebra pedicle into the adjacent superior vertebra body. The procedure is less traumatic than such procedures performed using open back surgery, by virtue of the robot used to guide the surgeon along a safe trajectory, avoiding damage to nerves surrounding the vertebrae. The robot arm is advantageous since no access is provided in a minimally invasive procedure for direct viewing of the operation site, and the accuracy required for oblique entry can readily be achieved only using robotic control. This robotic system also obviates the need for a large number of fluoroscope images to check drill insertion position relative to the surrounding nerves. Disc cleaning tools with flexible wire heads are also described. The drilling trajectory is determined by comparing fluoroscope images to preoperative images showing the planned path.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for the treatment of heart failure (both systolic and diastolic), hypertension, and arrhythmia in patients by stimulating one or more nerves, particularly peripheral nerves, using neurostimulation are described. The therapeutic treatment is accomplished by applying electrical signals to at least one or more nerves using cutaneous, subcutaneous, implantable, or catheter-based neurostimulation assemblies, alone or in combination with one or more additional therapy or stimulation devices associated with the patient's heart, and / or with one or more therapeutic drug infusions or therapies, such as immune modulation therapy (IMT).

A method for treating female sexual dysfunction by subcutaneous electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve innervating at least a portion of the vulva is disclosed. A lead is placed subcutaneously over a peripheral nerve that innervates at least a portion of the vulva and clitoris. The peripheral nerve is electrically stimulated to cause paresthesia. The method encompasses subcutaneous placement of an electrical lead near any peripheral nerve innervating at least a portion of the vulva and subsequent electrical stimulation of the nerve to cause paresthesia. Further, a method for treating intractable pain of the vulva using percutaneous and subcutaneous peripheral nerve electrostimulation techniques is disclosed.

A system for providing nerve mapping in human patients, which includes a processor coupled to a pulse generator and to a multi-position switch. The system further includes a conductive needle having a first end adapted for insertion into tissue and a second end coupled to a negative terminal of the pulse generator. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the skin of the patient in a ring arrangement for defining a bounded area. Each electrode is selectively coupled to a positive terminal of the pulse generator, via the multi-position switch. In this arrangement, at least one pulse can be applied to the first end of the conductive needle while the conductive needle is positioned in the bounded area to form a communication relationship between the first end of the conductive needle and at least one of the plurality of electrodes for exciting a nerve located in the bounded area.

A tissue-engineered peripheral nerve for reparing the demaged peripheral nerve is composed of neural canal and neuroglia cells or stem cells, and is prepared through preparing neural canal, preparing neurotrophic factor release controllable microspheres, and configuring the tissue-engineered peripheral nerve.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is employed to examine the neuronal activity and vascular response of a peripheral nerve for research or clinical purposes. An embodiment for implementing this approach has: a nerve stimulator; a tissue spectrometer; a stimulation probe adapted to apply a stimulation from the nerve stimulator to a peripheral nerve; at least one illumination optical fiber, where each illumination optical fiber is adapted to transmit a near-infrared source light to the peripheral nerve after the stimulation is applied; and a detection optical fiber adapted to collect and deliver to the tissue spectrometer a returning light from the peripheral nerve after each source light is transmitted to the peripheral nerve. The returning light has a returning intensity, and the tissue spectrometer can determine the returning intensity to provide readings of optical diffuse reflectance of the peripheral nerve after the stimulation is applied.