System and method suitable for treatment of a patient with a neurological deficit by sequentially stimulating neural pathways using a system of discrete implantable medical devices
US7460911B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/37205
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O2 content, physical position, electrical potential, etc., that operate under control of a system controller that coordinates the sequential stimulation via wireless commands to the implanted devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.