Techniques for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
US5925070A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/0551
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. A first pulse having a first amplitude and a first pulse width is applied to a first electrode adapted to be adjacent the tissue to generate a first subthreshold potential area within the tissue. The first subthreshold potential area is determined by the first amplitude and the first pulse width. A second pulse having a second amplitude and a second pulse width is applied to a second electrode adapted to be adjacent the tissue to generate a second subthreshold potential area within the tissue. The second subthreshold potential area is determined by the second amplitude and the second pulse width. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. The location and size of this locus can be controlled by correspondingly adjusting at least one of the first and second amplitudes and of the first and second pulse widths or the time delay between the first and second pulses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.