Electrical stimulation system and methods for treating phantom limb pain and for providing sensory feedback to an amputee from a prosthetic limb
US7302296B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/37229
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention relates to a system and methods for relieving phantomlimb pain in amputees, and for providing an amputee with sensory feedback from a prosthetic limb. The system employs implantable multichannel, multi-chambered interface structures, namely, nerve cuffs. The implanted nerve cuffs have electrodes which transmit electrical signals generated by a signal generator to nerves, recruiting certain neurons to send sensory signals to the cerebral cortex, suggesting sensory sensations to the amputee. Such signals can arise directly from the signal generator, approximating the train of signals seen by the cortex in a normally innervated limb, or can originate from sensors in a prosthetic limb.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.