IP Library Granted Patent US 9,119,966
Granted Patent B2
US 9,119,966 · App. 14/275,822 · Granted Sep 1, 2015

Systems and methods that provide an electrical waveform for neural stimulation or nerve block

Inventors: Manfred Franke (Cleveland, OH); Kevin L. Kilgore (Avon Lake, OH); Niloy Bhadra (Cleveland Heights, OH)
Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
A61N1/36142A61N1/36125A61N1/3782
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,119,966
App. No.
14/275,822
Granted
Sep 1, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can provide an electric waveform for neural stimulation or nerve block. The system can include a first circuit component configured to provide a self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform. In some instances, the first circuit component can provide a “pause” waveform (e.g., with a period (T) that includes a swing time (ts) in which the waveform varies in a biphasic manner and a pause time (tp) in which the waveform has a constant amplitude). The system can also include a second circuit component configured to ensure that the oscillating signal is charge-balanced across at least one period of the self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform.

Claims (17)

1. A system that provides an electric waveform for neural stimulation or nerve block, the system comprising:

a first circuit component configured to provide a self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform; and

a second circuit component configured to ensure that the self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform is charge-balanced across at least one period of the a self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform;

wherein an output of the system comprises the charge-balanced self-oscillating, voltage-boosted waveform;

wherein the second circuit component is configured to ensure that the output of the system is free of contaminating direct current (DC) components.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first circuit component is configured to utilize Lenz's law to facilitate an amplification of a supply voltage from a battery to provide the self-oscillating, voltage-boosted electric waveform.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output of the system is current controlled.

4. The system of claim 1 , where in the output of the system is voltage controlled.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first circuit component comprises a resonating circuit comprising at least one inductor and at least one capacitor.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first circuit component further comprises at least one resistor.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one inductor is provided by a tor aid, a transformer ,or a multi-coil inductor.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first circuit component further comprises at least one of a transistor, a diode, and a relay.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a trigger switch configured to interrupt transmission of the electric waveform through at least one path of the first circuit component or the second circuit component.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the trigger switch is at least one of:

located between the first circuit component and the second circuit component; and

located within the second circuit component.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the trigger switch is operated by the first circuit component and configured to short-circuit the electric waveform in at least one of the first circuit component and the second circuit component to provide a zero-amplitude waveform as an output of the system at a plurality of time points.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jul 13, 2016
From: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT
Reel/Frame 039146/0090 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2014
From: FRANKE, MANFRED; KILGORE, KEVIN L.; BHADRA, NILOY
To: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 033889/0414 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61821873 · May 10, 2013
Provisional Application 61824525 · May 17, 2013
Related Publication 20140336728A1 · Nov 13, 2014