Microcurrent device and method for the treatment of visual disease
An electrotherapeutic device for treating a visual disease using microcurrent stimulation is provided. The device includes a signal generator in which a waveform controller digitally controls a waveform signal source so as to generate a waveform in which one or more waveform parameters (e.g., pulse width, pulse period, pulse position, pulse coding, peak current amplitude, duty cycle, and/or pulse shape) are varied in accordance with a protocol for treating a visual disease. The device also includes an applicator connected to the signal generator and configured to apply the waveform to at least one stimulation point within an eye region.
1. A method for treatment of a visual disease, comprising:
providing a signal generator comprising a waveform controller connected to a waveform signal source, wherein the waveform controller is programmed to provide an output comprising a set of waveform parameters for a visual disease treatment protocol, wherein the waveform parameters include a plurality of varying pulse frequencies, wherein the waveform signal source is operable to provide a pulsed current output, and wherein the waveform signal source is configured to receive the output from a microcontroller and generate a waveform in which a plurality of current pulses within the pulsed current output are provided at the varying pulse frequencies included in the set of waveform parameters;
providing a current control and matching circuit to maintain safe current pulse levels;
placing at least one electrode in contact with tissue of an eye region, wherein the electrode is connected to the signal generator;
activating the signal generator to apply the waveform to the tissue via the electrode;
wherein the current pulse levels do not vary by more than plus or minus 10% for load impedance variations; and
wherein the load impedance variations range from 5,000 ohms to 70,000 ohms.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulse frequencies are varied within a defined frequency range of 0.3 Hz to 300 Hz.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 75% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 90% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulse frequencies are varied within a defined frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 50 Hz.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 75% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 90% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulse frequencies are varied within a defined frequency range of 0.05 Hz to 10 Hz.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 75% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 90% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the waveform comprises a first pulse sequence and a second pulse sequence.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein a polarity of each of the first and second pulse sequences is varied to generate a bipolar waveform.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the waveform parameters of the first pulse sequence are the same as the waveform parameters of the second pulse sequence.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the waveform parameters of the first pulse sequence are different than the waveform parameters of the second pulse sequence.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual disease comprises macular degeneration.
16. A method for treatment of a visual disease, comprising:
providing a signal generator comprising a waveform controller connected to a waveform signal source, wherein the waveform controller is programmed to provide an output with a set of waveform parameters for a visual disease treatment protocol, wherein the waveform parameters include a pulse width and a pulse frequency that is varied to provide a plurality of levels of frequency content within a sequence of current pulses, wherein the waveform signal source is operable to provide a pulsed current output, and wherein the waveform controller is operable to provide the output so as to digitally control the waveform signal source so that the waveform signal source generates a waveform comprising the sequence of current pulses having the waveform parameters for the visual disease treatment protocol;
providing a current control and matching circuit to maintain safe current pulse levels;
placing at least one electrode in contact with tissue of an eye region, wherein the electrode is connected to the signal generator;
activating the signal generator to apply the waveform to the tissue via the electrode;
wherein the current pulse levels do not vary by more than plus or minus 10% for load impedance variations; and
wherein load impedance variations range from 5,000 ohms to 70,000 ohms.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the set of waveform parameters is configured to vary the pulse frequency within a defined frequency range of 0.3 Hz to 300 Hz.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 75% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 90% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the set of waveform parameters is configured to vary the pulse frequency within a defined frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 50 Hz.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 75% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 90% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
23. The method of claim 16 , wherein the set of waveform parameters is configured to vary the pulse frequency within a defined frequency range of 0.05 Hz to 10 Hz.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 75% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein the current pulses are provided at 90% or more of the discrete frequencies within the defined frequency range.
26. The method of claim 16 , wherein the waveform comprises a first pulse sequence and a second pulse sequence.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein a polarity of each of the first and second pulse sequences is varied to generate a bipolar waveform.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the waveform parameters of the first pulse sequence are the same as the waveform parameters of the second pulse sequence.
29. The method of claim 27 , wherein the waveform parameters of the first pulse sequence are different than the waveform parameters of the second pulse sequence.
30. The method of claim 16 , wherein the visual disease comprises macular degeneration.