Optimized nerve fiber stimulation
US4640286A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36021
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optimization of nerve fiber stimulation to substantially increase the activity of the then selected nerve fibers is disclosed, with optimization being achieved through utilization of electrical pulses that are caused to occur in a predetermined pattern with respect to polarity, spacing, frequency and duration so as to interact with the electro-neurophysiological characteristics of the particular nerve fibers then to be electrically stimulated. Bi-phased pulse pairs are repeatedly generated and applied to the nerve fibers to be stimulated with the first pulse of each pulse pair being a positive polarity pulse causing the nerve to be set into the refractory period, while the second pulse of each pulse pair is a negative polarity pulse that is made to occur substantially at the end of the refractory period for the particular nerve fibers then being stimulated to thereby excite those nerve fibers, and the pulse pairs are repeated at a rate based upon the timewise occurrence of the enhanced excitability condition of the nerve fibers then being stimulated. Electrode polarity is absolute, meaning that nerve activity is stimulated almost entirely adjacent to the electrode which has the pol…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.