US5983141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for altering neural tissue function
Assignee: Covidien AG
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Filing: 1996-06-27
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2016-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient. An electromagnetic signal is applied to the neural tissue through an electrode. The electromagnetic signal has a frequency component above the physiological stimulation frequency range and an intensity sufficient to produce an alteration of the neural tissue, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain, and a waveform that prevents lethal temperature elevation of the neural tissue during application of the electromagnetic signal to the neural tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Menno E. Sluijter
- 👤 William J. Rittman, III
- 👤 Eric R. Cosman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/36021; A61N1/36017; A61N1/40; A61N1/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising: a) an electrode adapted to apply an amplitude modulated signal to the neural tissue of the patient; b) a signal generator that generates an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain and being produced at least in part by said at least one frequency component above said physiological stimulation frequency range; and, c) an electromagnetic coupling between said signal generator and said electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for altering a function of neural tissue in a patient comprising: a) an electrode adapted to apply an amplitude modulated signal to the neural tissue of the patient; b) a signal generator that generates an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain and being produced at least in part by said at least one frequency component above said physiological stimulation frequency range; and, c) an electromagnetic coupling between said signal generator and said electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a modulation amplitude control that adjusts the amplitude of the signal modulation; and, a duty cycle control that adjusts a ratio of signal ON time to signal OFF time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amplitude modulated signal has a peak voltage in the range of 10-30 volts with a waveform having a total period of one second with an ON time in the range of 10-30 milliseconds and a corresponding OFF time of 990-970 milliseconds.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of altering a function of neural tissue in a patient, comprising: a) by an electrode, applying an amplitude modulated signal to the neural tissue of the patient; b) by a signal generator, generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain and being produced at least in part by said at least one frequency component above said physiological stimulation frequency range; and c) electromagnetically coupling said signal generator to said electrode.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of altering a function of neural tissue in a patient, comprising: a) by an electrode, applying an amplitude modulated signal to the neural tissue of the patient; b) by a signal generator, generating an amplitude modulated signal having at least one frequency component above a physiological stimulation frequency range, said amplitude modulated signal producing an alteration of a function of the neural tissue while producing an average power deposition in the neural tissue corresponding to non-lethal temperature elevation of said neural tissue when the amplitude modulated signal is applied to the neural tissue through said electrode, the alteration causing the patient to experience a reduction in pain and being produced at least in part by said at least one frequency component above said physiological stimulation frequency range; and c) electromagnetically coupling said signal generator to said electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising: by a modulation amplitude control, adjusting the amplitude of the signal modulation; and, by a duty cycle control, adjusting a ratio of signal ON time to signal OFF time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the amplitude modulated signal has a peak voltage in the range of 10-30 volts with a waveform having a total period of one second with an ON time in the range of 10-30 milliseconds and a corresponding OFF time of 990-970 milliseconds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |