Peltier unidirectional and selective nerve stimulation
US8135478B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3605
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus is provided including an assembly (22) and a control unit (36). The assembly (22) includes a housing (34) configured to be applied to a nerve (20) of a subject, and at least one cathode (30) and at least one Peltier cooler (32), which are fixed to the housing (34). The control unit (36) is configured to drive the cathode (30) to apply an activating current to the nerve (20) that generates action potentials traveling in first and second directions (38 and 40) in the nerve (20), and the Peltier cooler (32) to cool the nerve (20) sufficiently to block propagation of at least a portion of the cathode-generated action potentials traveling in the second direction (40). Other embodiments are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.