| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20100114190 | NERVE STIMULATOR AND METHOD USING SIMULTANEOUS ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL SIGNALS - An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20110172725 | NERVE STIMULATOR AND METHOD USING SIMULTANEOUS ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL SIGNALS - An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110238141 | MINIATURE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL STIMULATION OF NERVES AND OTHER ANIMAL TISSUE - A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the light source through optical tip to simulate nerves. In some embodiments, the device is constructed from non-magnetic material such as glass, plastic or ceramics. In some embodiments, the light emanating from the optical tip can be controlled manually or automatically. In some embodiments, the handpiece contains a self-contained power source, such as batteries. In some embodiments, the handpiece is at least in part, activated by remote control in order to prevent moving the handpiece during activation. Some embodiments include a unit operable to sense a response of nerve stimulation and to suppress a laser-ablation surgery operation. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110295344 | OPTICAL BUNDLE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION OF PERIPHERAL NERVES - Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295345 | IMPLANTABLE INFRARED NERVE STIMULATION DEVICES FOR PERIPHERAL AND CRANIAL NERVE INTERFACES - Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295346 | CUFF APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION OF PERIPHERAL NERVES - Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295347 | NERVE-PENETRATING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION OF PERIPHERAL NERVES - Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis. | 12-01-2011 |
