Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Method and System to Control Skeletal Muscles by
Means of Neuro-Electrical Coded Signals
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Nos.
60/592,751, filed July 30, 2004, 60/602,438, filed August 18, 2004, and
60/604,279, filed
August 24, 2004 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No.
10/871,928, filed
June 18, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/479,407,
filed June 18, 2003. -
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to medical methods and systems
for
monitoring and controlling skeletal muscles. More particularly, the invention
relates to a
method and system for controlling skeletal muscles by means of transmitted
neuro-
electrical coded signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As is well known in the art, the brain modulates (or controls) skeletal
muscles via
electrical signals (i.e., action potentials or waveform signals), which are
transmitted
through the nervous system. The nervous system includes the central nervous
system,
which comprises the brain and the spinal cord, and the cranial and peripheral
nervous
systems, which generally comprise groups of nerve cells (i.e., neurons) and
peripheral
nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord. The various nerve networks
and
systems are anatomically separate, but functionally interconnected.
[0004] As indicated, the peripheral nervous system is constructed of nerve
cells (or
neurons) and glial cells (or glia), which support the neurons. Operative
neuron units that
carry signals from the brain are referred to as "efferent" nerves. "Afferent"
nerves are
those that carry sensor or status informatiori to the brain. Together, these
components of
the nervous system are responsible for the function, regulation and modulation
of the
body's organs, muscles, secretory glands and other physiological systems.
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[0005] As is known in the art, a typical neuron includes four morphologically
defined
regions: (i) cell body, (ii) dendrites, (iii) axon and (iv) presynaptic
terminals. The cell
body (soma) is the metabolic center of the cell. The cell body contains the
nucleus,
which stores the genes of the cell, and the rough and smooth endoplasmic
reticulum,
which synthesizes the proteins of the cell.
[0006] The nerve cell body typically includes two types of outgrowths (or
processes);
the dendrites and the axon. Most neurons have several dendrites; these branch
out in
tree-like fashion and serve as the main apparatus for receiving signals from
other nerve
cells.
[0007] The axon is the main conducting unit of the neuron. The axon carries
coded
electrical signals to the body's organs, skeletal muscles and other
physiological systems
to control the function thereof. The axon is capable of conveying electrical
signals along
distances that range from as short as 0.1 mm to as long as 2 m.
[0008] Near the end of the axon, the axon is divided into fine branches that
make contact
with other neurons. The point of contact is referred to as a synapse. The cell
transmitting a signal is called the presynaptic cell. The cell receiving the
signal is
referred to as the postsynaptic cell. Specialized swellings on the axon's
branches
(i.e., presynaptic terminals) serve as the transmitting site in the
presynaptic cell.
[0009] Most axons terminate near a postsynaptic neuron's dendrites. However,
communication can also occur at the cell body or, less often, at the initial
segment or
terminal portion of the axon of the postsynaptic cell.
[00010] The electrical signals transmitted along the axon, referred to as
action
potentials, are rapid and transient "all-or-none" nerve impulses. Action
potentials
typically have an amplitude of less than approximately 100 millivolts (mV) and
a
duration of approximately I msec. Action potentials are conducted along the
axon,
without failure or distortion, at rates in the range of approximately 1- 100
meters/sec.
The amplitude of the action potential remains constant throughout the axon,
since the
impulse is continually regenerated as it traverses the axon.
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[00011 ] As is known in the art, a "neurosignal" is a composite signal that
includes
many action potentials. The neurosignal also includes an instruction set for
proper organ
function and/or system. A skeletal muscle neurosignal would thus include an
instruction
set for a muscle to perform a desired movement, including information
regarding initial
muscle tension, degree of muscle movement, etc.
[00012] Neurosignals or "neuro-electrical coded signals" are thus codes that
contain
complete sets of information for coinplete organ function. As set forth in Co-
Pending
Application No. 11/125,480, filed May 9, 2005, once these neurosignals, which
are
embodied in the "waveform signals" referred to herein, have been isolated,
recorded,
standardized and transmitted to a subject (or patient), a generated nerve-
specific
waveform instruction (i.e., waveform signal(s)) can be employed to control a
skeletal
muscle and, hence, treat a multitude of muscle impairments. The noted
impairments
include, but are not limited to, spinal injuries, brain tumor, multiple
sclerosis, cerebral
palsy, radiation-induced nerve damage, stroke induced neuron damage, etc.
[00013] As is known in the art, the contraction and movement of skeletal
muscles is
commanded and coordinated by a number of the aforementioned brain structures,
including the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brain system structures. To
accomplish
various brain designated tasks, neurosignals are transmitted to a target
skeletal muscle or
muscles to induce graduated coarse or fine motor movements.
[00014] Various apparatus, systems and methods have been developed, which
include
an apparatus for or step of recording action potentials or coded electrical
neurosignals, to
control various physiological systems. The signals are, however, typically
subjected to
extensive processing and are subsequently employed to operate and/or regulate
a
"inechanical" device or system, such as a muscle stimulator device.
Illustrative are the
systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,360,740 and 6,651,652.
[00015] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,740, a system and inethod for providing
respiratory
assistance is disclosed. The noted method includes the step of recording
"breathing
signals", which are generated in the respiratory center of a patient. The
"breathing
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signals" are processed and employed to control a muscle stimulation apparatus
or
ventilator.
[00016] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,652, a system and method for treating sleep
apnea is
disclosed. The noted system includes a respiration sensor that is adapted to
capture
neuro-electrical signals and extract the signal components related to
respiration. The
signals are similarly processed and employed to control a ventilator.
[00017] In U.S. Patent No. 5,167,229, a method and system for inducing
skeletal
inuscle movement is disclosed. The method includes the step of implanting a
sensor,
i.e., input command means, in the body that is adapted to sense physical
movement and
provide a signal "which is indicative of a selected physiological movement or
group of
moveinents." The signal is then processed and employed to control iinplanted
electrodes
that are adapted to stimulate target muscles.
[00018] A major drawback associated with the systems and methods disclosed in
the
noted patents, as well as most known systems, is that the control signals that
are
generated and transmitted are "user determined" and "device determinative".
The noted
"control signals" are thus not related to or representative of the signals
that are generated
in the body and, hence, would not be operative in the control of the skeletal
muscles if
transmitted thereto.
[00019] It would thus be desirable to provide a method and system for
controlling
skeletal muscles that includes means for generating and transmitting coded
electrical
neurosignals (referred to herein as "waveform signals") to the body that
substantially
correspond to the recorded waveform signals and are operative in the control
of the
skeletal muscles.
[00020] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method
and
system for controlling skeletal muscles that overcomes the drawbacks
associated with
prior art methods and systems for controlling skeletal muscles.
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[00021] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal muscles that includes means for generating skeletal
muscle
waveform signals that substantially correspond to coded waveform signals that
are
generated in the body and are operative in the control of skeletal muscles.
[00022] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal inuscles that includes means for recording waveform
signals that are
generated in the body and operative in the control of skeletal muscles.
[00023] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal muscles that includes processing means adapted to
generate at least
one base-line skeletal muscle signal that is representative of at least one
coded waveform
signal generated in the body from recorded waveform signals.
[00024] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal muscles that includes processing means adapted to compare
recorded
skeletal muscle waveform signals to baseline skeletal muscle signals and
generate a
skeletal muscle signal based on the comparison of the signals.
[00025] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal muscles that includes monitoring means for detecting
skeletal
muscle impairments and disorders.
[00026] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal muscles that includes means for transmitting waveform
signals to the
body that substantially correspond to coded waveform signals that are
generated in the
body and are operative in the control of the skeletal muscles.
[00027] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and
system for
controlling skeletal muscles that includes means for transmitting signals
directly to the
nervous system in the body that substantially correspond to coded waveform
signals that
are generated in the body and are operative in the control of the skeletal
muscles.
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[00028] It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system
for
controlling skeletal muscles that can be readily employed in the treatment of
muscle and
nerve related disorders and abnormalities, including spinal injuries and
muscle nerve
damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00029] In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned
and will
become apparent below, the method to control skeletal muscles in one
embodiment of
the invention generally comprises (i) generating at least a first coded
waveform signal
that substantially corresponds to at least one coded waveform signal that is
generated in
the body and is recognizable by at least a first skeletal muscle as a control
signal and (ii)
transmitting the first waveform signal to a subject to control the first
skeletal muscle.
[00030] In another embodiment of the invention, the method to control skeletal
muscles
generally comprises (i) capturing coded waveform signals that are generated in
the body
and are operative in the control of at least a first skeletal muscle, (ii)
generating at least a
first waveform signal that is recognizable by the first skeletal muscle as a
control signal,
and (iii) transmitting the first waveform signal to a subject to control the
first skeletal
muscle.
[00031] In one embodiment of the invention, the first waveform signal includes
at least
a second waveform signal that substantially corresponds to at least one of the
captured
waveform signals and is operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle.
[00032] In one embodiment of the invention, the first waveform signal is
transmitted to
the subject's nervous system. In another embodiment, the first waveform signal
is
transmitted proximate to a target zone on the neck, head or spinal region.
[00033] In another embodiment of the invention, the method to control skeletal
muscles
generally comprises (i) capturing coded waveform signals that are generated in
the body
and are operative in the control of skeletal muscles, (ii) storing the
captured waveform
signals in a storage medium, the storage medium being adapted to store the
components
of the captured waveform signals according to the function performed by the
waveform
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signal components, (iii) generating at least a first waveform signal that
substantially
corresponds to at least one of the captured waveform signals and is operative
in the
control of at least a first skeletal muscle, and (iv) transmitting the first
waveform signal
to a subject to control the first skeletal muscle.
[00034] In another embodiment of the invention, the method to control skeletal
muscles
generally comprises (i) capturing a plurality of waveform signals generated in
a first
subject's body that are operative in the control of skeletal muscles, (ii)
generating a base-
line skeletal muscle waveform signal from the plurality of captured waveform
signals,
the base-line skeletal muscle waveform being operative in the control of a
first skeletal
muscle (iii) capturing a second waveform signal generated in the first
subject's body that
is operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle, (iv) comparing the
base-line
waveform signal to the second waveform signal, (v) generating a third waveform
signal
based on the comparison of the base-line and second waveform signals, and (vi)
transmitting the third waveform signal to the first subject's body, the third
waveform
signal being operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle.
[00035] In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of waveform signals
is
captured from a second subject's body.
[00036] In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of waveform
signals is
captured from a plurality of subjects.
[00037] Preferably, the third waveform signal is transmitted to the subject's
nervous
system. In an alternative embodiment, the third waveform signal is transmitted
proximate to a target zone on the neck, head or spinal region.
[00038] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the method
for
controlling skeletal muscles generally comprises (i) monitoring the status of
at least a
first skeletal muscle of a subject, (ii) providing at least one skeletal
muscle status signal
in response to a skeletal muscle disorder of the first skeletal muscle, (iii)
generating at
least a first waveform signal that is operative in the control of the first
skeletal muscle in
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response to the skeletal muscle status signal, and (iv) transmitting the first
waveform
signal to the subject to mitigate the skeletal muscle disorder.
[00039] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the method
for
controlling skeletal muscles generally comprises (i) capturing waveform
signals that are
generated in the body and are operative in control of skeletal muscles, the
waveform
signals including at least a first waveform signal that is operative in the
control of a first
skeletal muscle, (ii) monitoring the skeletal muscle status of the first
skeletal muscle of a
subject and providing at least one skeletal muscle status signal indicative of
the status of
the first skeletal muscle, (iii) storing the captured waveform signals and
skeletal muscle
status signal in a storage medium, (iv) generating at least a first waveform
that is
operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle in response to a
skeletal muscle status
signal or component of a captured waveform signal that is indicative of a
skeletal muscle
disorder, and (v) transmitting the first waveform signal to the subject to
mitigate the
skeletal muscle disorder.
[00040] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method to control
skeletal
muscles generally comprises (i) capturing a first plurality of waveform
signals generated
in the body that are operative in the control of skeletal muscles, (ii)
capturing at least a
first waveform signal from a subject's body that is indicative of a skeletal
muscle
disorder, (iii) generating a confounding signal that is operative to mitigate
the skeletal
muscle disorder, and (iv) transmitting the confounding waveform signal to the
subject to
mitigate the skeletal muscle disorder.
[00041] The system to control skeletal muscles, in accordance with one
embodiment of
the invention, generally comprises (i) at least a first signal.probe adapted
to capture
coded waveform signals from the body, the waveform signals being
representative of
waveform signals naturally generated in the body and operative in the control
of skeletal
muscles, (ii) a processor in communication with the signal probe and adapted
to receive
the waveform signals, the processor being further adapted to generate at least
a first
waveform signal based on the captured waveform signals, the first waveform
signal
being recognizable by at least a first skeletal muscle as a control signal and
(iii) at least a
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second signal probe adapted to be in communication with a subject's body for
transmitting the first waveform signal to the body to control the first
skeletal muscle.
[00042] Preferably, the processor includes a storage medium adapted to store
the
captured waveform signals.
[00043] In one embodiment, the processor is adapted to extract and store
components of
the captured waveform signals in the storage means according to the function
performed
by the signal components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00044] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the
following and
more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, and in which like referenced characters generally
refer to the
same parts or elements throughout the views, and in which:
[00045] FIGURES I A through I D are illustrations of waveform signals captured
from
the body that are operative in the control of the skeletal muscles of the arm
forearm,
hands and fingers;
[00046] FIGURE 2 is an i I lustration of the skeletal muscles of the upper
body (posterior
view);
[00047] FIGURE 3 is an illustration of the skeletal muscles of the right
shoulder and
chest regions (anterior view);
[00048] FIGURE 4 is an illustration of the skeletal muscles of the right arm
(anterior
view);
[00049] FIGURE 5 is a further illustration of the skeletal muscles of the
right arm,
showing the deep layer muscle structure (anterior view);
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[00050] FIGURE 6 is an illustration of the skeletal muscles of the right arm
(posterior
view);
[00051] FIGURE 7 is a further illustration of the skeletal muscles of the
right arm,
showing the deep layer muscle structure (posterior view);
[00052] FIGURES 8A and 8B are illustrations of the skeletal muscles of the
right
forearm (posterior views);
[00053] FIGURE 9 is an illustration of the skeletal muscles of the right hand
(anterior
view);
[00054] FIGURE 10 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a skeletal
muscle
control system, according to the invention;
[00055] FIGURE 11 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a
skeletal
muscle control system, according to the invention;
[00056] FIGURE 12 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a
skeletal
muscle control system, according to the invention; and
[00057] FIGURE 13 is a schematic illustration of yet another embodiment of a
skeletal
muscle control system, according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00058] Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be
understood that this
invention is not limited to particularly exemplified apparatus, systems,
structures or
methods as such may, of course, vary. Thus, although a number of apparatus,
systems
and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the
practice
of the present invention, the preferred systems and methods are described
herein.
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[00059] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for
the purpose of
describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to
be
limiting.
[00060] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have
the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the
art to
which the invention pertains.
[00061] Further, all publications, patents and patent applications cited
herein, whether
supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[00062] Finally, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular
forms "a, "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly
dictates
otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a waveform signal" includes two or
more
such signals; reference to "a skeletal muscle disorder" includes two or more
such
disorders and the like.
Definitions
[00063] The term "nervous system", as used herein, means and includes the
central
nervous system, including the spinal cord, medulla, pons, cerebellum,
midbrain,
diencephalon and cerebral hemispheres, and the cranial and peripheral nervous
systems,
including the neurons and glia.
[00064] The terms "coded waveform signal" and "waveform signal", as used
herein,
mean and include a composite electrical signal that is generated in the body
and carried
by neurons in the body, including neurocodes, neurosignals and components and
segments thereof
[00065] The term "skeletal muscle", as used herein, means and includes a
striated
muscle, normally having at least one attachment to the skeletal system, whose
contraction and extension are controlled or mediated by cognitive action.
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[00066] The term "target zone", as used herein, means and includes, without
limitation,
a region of the body proximal to a portion of the nervous system whereon the
application
of electrical signals can induce the desired neural control without the direct
application
(or conduction) of the signals to a target nerve.
[00067] The terms "patient" and "subject", as used herein, mean and include
humans
and animals.
[00068] The term "plexus", as used herein, means and includes a branching or
tangle of
nerve fibers outside the central nervous system.
[00069] The term "ganglion", as used herein, means and includes a group or
groups of
nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system.
[00070] The terms "skeletal muscle impairment" and "skeletal muscle disorder",
as
used herein, mean and include any dysfunction of a skeletal muscle that
impedes the
normal function thereof. Such dysfunction can be caused by a multitude of
known
factors and events, including, without limitation, spinal cord injury and
severance, a
brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and involuntary muscle
contractions.
[00071] The present invention substantially reduces or eliminates the
disadvantages and
drawbacks associated with prior art methods and systems for controlling
skeletal
muscles. In one embodiment of the invention, the system for controlling
skeletal
muscles generally comprises means for generating at least one waveform signal
that
substantially corresponds to at least one waveform signal (i.e., coded
electrical
neurosignal) that is generated in the body and is operative in the control of
at least a first
skeletal muscle and means for transmitting the waveform signal to a subject's
body. In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, the waveform signal is transmitted to
the
subject's nervous system.
[00072] In a further embodiment, the system includes means for recording
waveform
signals from a subject's body that are operative in the control of at least
the first skeletal
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muscle. According to the invention, the "subject" can be the same subject that
the
generated waveform signals are transmitted to or a different subject.
[00073] Referring now to Figs. 2 through 9, there are shown illustrations of
various
skeletal muscles and muscle structures of the upper body, which can be
controlled
through the use of the methods and system of the invention. As illustrated in
Figs. 2
through 7, the skeletal muscles of the shoulder and upper arm include the
levator
scapulae, major and minor rhomboids, deltoids, supraspinatus, trapezius,
pectoralis,
coracobrachialis, biceps and triceps brachii, and latissimus dorsi.
[00074] As illustrated in Figs. 8A, 8B and 9, the skeletal muscles of the
forearm, wrist
and hand include the extensor and flexor digitorums, extensor carpi ulnaris,
abductor and
flexor pollicis longus, lumbrical, opponens and adductor pollicis muscles, and
finger and
wrist flexors.
[00075] It is to be understood that, although only the skeletal muscles of the
upper body
are illustrated, the skeletal muscles of the lower body are similarly within
the scope of
the present invention. Such skeletal muscles include, without limitation, the
quadriceps,
hamstrings, adductor longus, vastus lateralis, intermedius and medialis
muscles, and the
sartorius.
[00076] As indicated, coded waveform signals related to skeletal muscle
operation and
control originate in various brain structures. The waveform signals are
primarily
transmitted through the spinal cord. The waveform signals that control the
noted
skeletal muscles of the shoulder, arm, wrist and hand are also transmitted
through the
brachial plexus, and the radial, median and ulnar nerves.
[00077] According to the invention, the waveform signals that control a target
skeletal
muscle or muscles can be captured or collected along any of the nerves
carrying the
waveform signals to the target skeletal muscle. By way of example, the
waveform
signals transmitted to the abductor pollicis muscle of the hand can be
captured from the
brachial plexus.
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[00078] Methods and systems for capturing coded signals from specific nerves
in the
body, and for storing, processing and transmitting neuro-electrical signals
(or coded
waveform signals) are set forth in Co-Pending Application Nos. 10/000,005,
filed
November 20, 2001, and Application No. 11/125,480, filed May 9, 2005; which
are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
[00079] Referring now to Figs. 1 A through 1 D, there are shown exemplar
waveform
signals that are operative in the control of the skeletal muscles of the arm,
forearm,
hands and fingers. The signals 16, 17 shown in Figs. IA and 1B bring the arm
upward
and pull the hand back with the fingers spread. The signals 28, 30 shown Figs.
IC and
1D provide the same movement as the signals shown in Figs. 1A and 1B with less
intensity (i.e., moderate movement).
[00080] As illustrated in Figs. lA and IB, each signal 16, 17 includes a
negative
segment 18, which is believed to reflect the muscle and/or nerve setting up
for
movement. Following the negative segment 18 is a large positive segment 20,
which
produces the desired movement, and a negative segment 22, thereafter
reflecting the rest
and evaluation segment of the signal.
[00081 ] As stated above, the noted signals include coded information related
to muscle
movement function, such as initial muscle tension, degree (or depth) of muscle
movement, etc.
[00082] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, coded waveform
signals
generated in the body that are operative in the control of skeletal muscles,
such as the
signals shown in Figs. l A and I B, are captured and transmitted to a
processor or control
module. Preferably, the control module includes storage means adapted to store
the
captured signals. In a preferred embodiment, the control module is further
adapted to
store the components of the captured signals (that are extracted by the
processor) in the
storage means according to the function performed by the signal components.
[00083] According to the invention, the stored signals can subsequently be
employed to
establish at least one, preferably, multiple base-line skeletal muscle
waveform signals.
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The module can then be programmed to compare skeletal muscle waveform signals
(and
components thereof) captured from a subject and, as discussed below, generate
at least
one waveform signal or modified base-line waveform signal for transmission to
the same
or a different subject. Such modification can include, for example, increasing
the
amplitude of a skeletal muscle signal to provide a quicker or more powerful
muscle
movement.
[00084] According to the invention, the captured waveform signals are
preferably
processed by proprietary means and a waveform signal (i.e., coded electrical
neurosignal) that is representative of at least one captured waveform signal
and operative
in the control of at least one skeletal muscle (i.e., recognized by the brain
or at least one
skeletal muscle as a control signal) is generated by the control module. The
noted
waveform signal is preferably similarly stored in the storage means of the
control
module.
[00085] Methods and systems for processing coded waveform signals are set
forth in
co-pending Application No. [Attorney Docket No. SCM-02-019U], filed
June 10, 2005; which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[00086] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the generated
waveform
signal is accessed from the storage means and transmitted to the subject via a
transmitter
(or treatment member) to control a target skeletal muscle or muscles. As
discussed in
detail herein, various transmitters can be employed within the scope of the
invention to
transmit the generated waveform signals to a subject.
[00087] According to the invention, the applied voltage of a transmitted
waveform
signal (or signals) can be up to 20 volts AC (up to 3 volts DC) to allow for
voltage loss
during the transmission of the signals. Preferably, current is maintained to
less than 2
amp output.
[00088] Direct conduction into the nerves via electrodes connected directly to
such
nerves preferably have outputs less than 3 volts AC and current less than one
tenth of an
amp.
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[00089] As is known in the art and discussed in detail in Co-Pending
Application Nos.
11/125,480 and [Attorney Docket No. SCM-02-019U], filed June 10, 2005,
varying the voltage of transmitted waveform signals causes movement changes,
which
are generally proportional to the voltage change. For example, a waveform
signal
delivered at a slightly higher voltage will cause a stronger and larger muscle
movement.
Likewise, the same waveform signal delivered at a slightly lower voltage will
cause a
lesser and smaller movement of the target muscle(s).
[00090] Referring now to Fig. 10, there is shown a schematic illustration of
one
embodiment of a skeletal muscle control system 20A of the invention. As
illustrated in
Fig. 10, the control system 20A includes a control module 22, which is adapted
to
receive coded neurosignals or "waveform signals" from a skeletal muscle signal
sensor
(shown in phantom and designated 21) that is in communication with a subject,
and at
least one treatment member 24.
[00091] The treatment member 24 is adapted to communicate with the body and
receives generated waveform signals from the control module 22. According to
the
invention, the treatment member 24 can comprise an electrode, antenna, a
seismic
transducer, or any other suitable form of conduction attachment for
transmitting skeletal
muscle waveform signals that control skeletal muscle function in human and
animals.
[00092] The treatment meinber 24 can be attached to appropriate nerves via a
surgical
process. Such surgery can, for example, be accomplished with "key-hole"
entrance in a
thoracic-stereo-scope procedure. If necessary, a more expansive thoracotomy or
other
surgical approach can be employed for placement of the treatment member 24.
[00093] As illustrated in Fig. 10, the control module 22 and treatment member
24 can
be entirely separate elements, which allow systein 20A to be operated
remotely.
According to the invention, the control module 22 can be unique, i.e.,
tailored to a
specific operation and/or subject, or can comprise a conventional device.
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[00094] Referring now to Fig 11, there is shown a further embodiment of a
control
system 20B of the invention. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the system 20B is
similar to
system 20A shown in Fig. 10. However, in this embodiment, the control module
22 and
treatment member 24 are connected.
[00095] Referring now to Fig. 12, there is shown yet another embodiment of a
control
system 20C of the invention. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the control system 20C
similarly
includes a control module 22 and a treatment member 24. The system 20C further
includes at least one skeletal muscle signal sensor 21.
[00096] The system 20C also includes a processing module (or computer) 26.
According to the invention, the processing module 26 can be a separate
component or
can be a sub-system of a control module 22', as shown in phantom.
[00097] As indicated above, the processing module (or control module) 26
preferably
includes storage means adapted to store the captured skeletal muscle waveform
signals.
In a preferred embodiment, the processing module 26 is further adapted to
extract and
store the components of the captured skeletal muscle waveform signals in the
storage
means according to the function performed by the signal components.
[00098] In one embodiment of the invention, the method for controlling
skeletal
muscles includes the following steps: (i) generating at least a first coded
waveform
signal that substantially corresponds to at least one coded waveform signal
that is
generated in the body and is recognizable by at least a first skeletal muscle
as a control
signal and (ii) transmitting the first waveform signal to a subject to control
the first
skeletal muscle.
[00099] In one embodiment of the invention, the first waveform signal is
transmitted to
the subject's nervous system. In another embodiment, the first waveform signal
is
transmitted proximate to a target zone on the neck, head or spinal region.
[000100] According to the invention, the generated waveform signal is
preferably
transmitted to the subject via a constant current or constant voltage method.
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[000101] The constant current method allows for the voltage level to fluctuate
as the
resistance changes. In one embodiment, a positive and negative probe (the
negative
probe located cranial to the positive probe) are attached to a target nerve.
The distance
between the probes is preferably approximately 2 cm. A ground connection is
also made
between the interior muscles and an earth ground.
[000102] In the constant voltage method, a signal probe is attached to the
target nerve.
While the signal probe is capable of providing both the positive and negative
portions of
the neuro-code, only the positive portion of the neuro-code is used to
stimulate the
nerve. The signal ground probe is not required. A ground connection is
similarly made
between the interior muscles and an earth ground.
[000103] In another embodiment of the invention, the method to control
skeletal
muscles generally comprises (i) capturing waveform signals that are generated
in the
body and are operative in the control of at least a first skeletal muscle,
(ii) generating at
least a first waveform signal that is recognizable by the first skeletal
muscle as a control
signal, and (iii) transmitting the first waveform signal to a subject to
control the first
skeletal muscle.
[000104] In a preferred embodiment, the first waveform signal includes at
least a
second waveform signal that substantially corresponds to at least one of the
captured
waveform signals and is operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle.
[000105] In one embodiment of the invention, the first waveform signal is
transmitted
to the subject's nervous system. In another embodiment, the first waveform
signal is
transmitted proxiinate to a target zone on the neck, head or spinal region.
[000106] In another embodiment of the invention, the method to control
skeletal
muscles generally comprises (i) capturing waveform signals that are generated
in the
body and are operative in control of skeletal muscles, (ii) storing the
captured waveform
signals in a storage medium, the storage medium being adapted to store the
components
of the captured waveform signals according to the function performed by the
signal
components, (iii) generating at least a first waveform signal that
substantially
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corresponds to at least one of the captured waveform signals and is operative
in the
control of at least a first skeletal muscle, and (iv) transmitting the first
waveform signal
to a subject.
[000107] In another embodiment of the invention, the method to control
skeletal
muscles generally comprises (i) capturing a first plurality of waveform
signals generated
in a first subject's body that are operative in the control of skeletal
muscles, (ii)
generating a base-line skeletal muscle waveform signal from the first
plurality of
waveform signals, the base-line skeletal muscle waveform being operative in
the control
of a first skeletal muscle (iii) capturing a second waveform signal generated
in the first
subject's body that is operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle,
(iv) comparing
the base-line waveform signal to the second waveform signal, (v) generating a
third
waveform signal based on the comparison of the base-line and second waveform
signals,
and (vi) transmitting the third waveform signal to the first subject, the
third waveform
signal being operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle.
[000108] In one embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of waveform
signals is
captured from a second subject's body.
[000109] In another embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of
waveform signals
is captured from a plurality of subjects.
[000110] In one embodiment of the invention, the first and third waveform
signals are
transmitted to the subject's nervous system. In another embodiment, the first
waveform
signal is transmitted proximate to a target zone on the neck, head or spinal
region.
[000111] According to the invention, the step of transmitting the waveform
signals of
the invention to a subject can be accomplished by direct conduction via
attachment of an
electrode to the receiving nerve or nerve plexus. As discussed, this requires
a surgical
intervention to physically attach the electrode to the selected target nerve.
[000112] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the step of transmitting
the
waveform signals of the invention to a subject can also be accomplished by
transposing
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the waveform signal into a seismic form. The seismic signal is then sent into
a region of
the head, neck, or spinal region in a manner that allows the appropriate
"nerve" to
receive and obey the coded instructions of the seismic signal.
[000113] The present invention thus provides methods and apparatus to
effectively
control skeletal muscles. The methods and apparatus can thus be employed to
restore
some or most appendage (i.e., arm, hand and leg) movement in paralyzed
subjects. The
methods and apparatus of the invention can also be employed in the treatment
of various
skeletal muscle impairments or disorders, such as involuntary muscle
contractions
resulting from hypertonia and spasticity.
[000114] Referring now to Fig. 13, there is shown one embodiment of a skeletal
muscle control system 30 that can be employed in the treatment of various
skeletal
muscle impairments and disorders. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the system 30
includes at
least one skeletal muscle sensor 32 that is adapted to monitor the skeletal
muscle
function or status of at least a first skeletal muscle of a subject and
transmit at least one
signal indicative of the first skeletal muscle status.
[000115] According to the invention, the first skeletal muscle status can be
determined
by a multitude of factors, including skeletal muscle movement or lack thereof,
muscle
tension, etc. Various sensors can thus be employed within the scope of the
invention to
detect the noted factors and, hence, a skeletal muscle impairment or disorder.
[000116] The system 30 further includes a processor 36, which is adapted to
receive
the skeletal muscle status signal(s) from the skeletal muscle sensor 32. The
processor 36
is further adapted to receive skeletal muscle waveform signals recorded by a
skeletal
muscle signal probe (shown in phantom and designated 34).
[000117] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor 36 includes
storage
means for storing the captured, waveform signals and skeletal muscle status
signals. The
processor 36 is further adapted to extract the components of the waveform
signals and
store the signal components in the storage means.
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[000118] In a preferred embodiment, the processor 36 is programmed to detect
skeletal
muscle status signals indicative of skeletal muscle impairments and/or
disorders and/or
waveform signals and components thereof indicative of skeletal muscle
disorders and
generate at least one waveform signal that is operative in the control of at
least one
skeletal muscle. Thus, in a preferred aspect of the noted embodiment, the
processor 36
is programmed to detect a skeletal muscle status signal indicative of a first
skeletal
muscle disorder and generate at least a first waveform signal that is
operative in the
control of the first skeletal muscle, which, when transmitted to the subject
(as discussed
below) mitigates the first skeletal muscle disorder.
[000119] Referring to Fig. 13, the generated waveform signal is routed to a
transmitter
38 that is adapted to be in communication with the subject's body. The
transmitter 38 is
further adapted to transmit the waveform signal to the subject's body (in a
similar
manner as described above) to control the affected skeletal muscle and,
preferably,
mitigate the detected skeletal muscle disorder.
[000120] According to the invention, the waveform signal is preferably
transmitted to
one or more nerves that are in communication with the affected skeletal
muscle. A
single waveform signal or a plurality of signals can be transmitted in
conjunction with
one another.
[000121 ] Thus, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the
method
for controlling skeletal muscles generally comprises (i) monitoring the status
of at least a
first skeletal muscle of a subject, (ii) providing at least one skeletal
muscle status signal
in response to a skeletal inuscle disorder of the first skeletal muscle, (iii)
generating at
least a first waveform signal that is operative in the control of the first
skeletal muscle in
response to the skeletal muscle status signal, and (iv) transmitting the first
waveform
signal to the subject to mitigate the skeletal muscle disorder.
[000122] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the method
for
controlling skeletal muscles generally comprises (i) capturing waveform
signals that are
generated in the body and are operative in control of skeletal muscles, the
waveform
signals including at least a first waveform signal that is operative in the
control of a first
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skeletal muscle, (ii) monitoring the skeletal muscle status of the first
skeletal muscle of a
subject and providing at least one skeletal muscle status signal indicative of
the status of
the first skeletal muscle, (iii) storing the captured waveform signals and
skeletal muscle
status signal in a storage medium, (iv) generating at least a first waveform
that is
operative in the control of the first skeletal muscle in response to a
skeletal muscle status
signal or component of a captured waveform signal that is indicative of a
skeletal muscle
disorder, and (v) transmitting the first waveform signal to the subject to
mitigate the
skeletal muscle disorder.
[000123] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method to control
skeletal
muscles generally comprises (i) capturing a first plurality of waveform
signals generated
in the body that are operative in the control of skeletal muscles, (ii)
capturing at least a
first waveform signal from a subject's body that is indicative of a skeletal
muscle
disorder, (iii) generating a confounding signal that is operative to mitigate
the skeletal
muscle disorder, and (iv) transmitting the confounding waveform signal to the
subject to
mitigate the skeletal muscle disorder.
[000124] As will be appreciated by one having skill in the art, the present
invention
provides numerous advantages. Among the advantages are the provision of a
system,
apparatus and method to control skeletal muscles that can be readily and
effectively
employed in the treatment of various skeletal muscle impairments and
disorders,
including involuntary muscle movement (e.g., spasms and muscle contractions)
and
partial or full loss of muscle movement or control resulting from spinal
injuries, multiple
sclerosis, cerebral palsy, radiation-induced nerve damage, stroke induced
neuron
dainage, etc.
[000125] Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, one of
ordinary
skill can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it
to various
usages and conditions. As such, these changes and modifications are properly,
equitably, and intended to be, within the full range of equivalence of the
following
claims.
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