Therapy delivery devices and methods for non-damaging neural tissue conduction block
Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.
1. An electrode, comprising:
at least one contact configured to be in electrical communication with neural tissue and further configured to deliver a therapy signal to the neural tissue,
wherein the at least one contact comprises a high charge capacity material that limits formation of irreversible reaction products when the therapy signal delivers a charge of 100 μC or more to the neural tissue.
2. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the therapy signal comprises at least one direct current (DC) with at least one polarity.
3. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the therapy signal comprises HFAC.
4. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact has a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm 2 .
5. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact is fabricated of the high charge capacity material.
6. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact comprises a base body that is at least partially coated with the high charge capacity material.
7. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the high charge capacity material is platinum black, iridium oxide, titanium nitride, tantalum, poly(ethylenedioxythiophene), or combinations thereof.
8. The electrode of claim 1 , further comprising a nerve cuff housing the at least one contact.
9. The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the at least one contact is monopolar.
10. An electrode, comprising:
at least one contact configured to be in electrical communication with electrically excitable tissue and further configured to deliver a therapy signal to the excitable tissue,
wherein the at least one contact comprises a high charge capacity material that limits formation of irreversible reaction products when the therapy signal delivers a charge of 100 μC or more to the excitable tissue.
11. The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the therapy signal comprises at least one direct current (DC) with at least one polarity.
12. The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the therapy signal comprises HFAC.
13. The electrode of claim 10 , wherein the at least one contact has a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm 2 .
14. A method comprising placing at least one contact of an electrode in electrical communication with excitable tissue; and delivering a therapy signal through the at least one contact to the excitable tissue; wherein the at least one contact comprises a high charge capacity material that limits formation of irreversible reaction products when the therapy signal delivers a charge of 100 μC or more to the excitable tissue.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the excitable tissue comprises spinal nerves.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the excitable tissue comprises brain tissue.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the excitable tissue comprises ganglia.
18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising blocking signal transmission through at least a portion of the neural tissue based on the application of the therapy signal.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the therapy signal comprises a current that delivers the charge of 100 μC or more to the neural tissue.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one contact has a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm 2 .