Treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block

US11872394B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · US
• NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT · US

Inventors

• Niloy Bhadra · Cleveland Heights, US
• Narendra Bhadra · Chesterland, US
• Kevin L. Kilgore · Cleveland, US
• Scott Lempka · Cleveland, US
• Jesse Wainright · Willoughby Hills, US
• Tina Vrabec · Willoughby Hills, US
• Manfred Franke · Valencia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 13, 2021
• Grant date: Jan 16, 2024
• Expiry date: Dec 1, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36171
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

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.