US5002053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and device for inducing locomotion by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord
Assignee: University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
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Filing: 1989-04-21
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2009-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for inducing locomotion in animals by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord using long duration pulses (0.2 msec to 2 msec) delivered at low frequencies (0.5 Hz to 20 Hz) epidurally or subdurally to the dorsal columns or dorsal root entry zone at the cervical or lumbar regions of the spinal cord for treating deficits in locomotion.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar Garcia-Rill
- 👤 Robert D. Skinner
- 👤 Yuji Atsuta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of inducing locomotion in animals comprising electrically stimulating the spinal cord using pulses having a duration between 0.2 msec and 2 msec delivered at frequencies between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz wherein said stimulation is at a locus on the spinal cord at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of inducing locomotion in animals comprising electrically stimulating the spinal cord using pulses having a duration between 0.2 msec and 2 msec delivered at frequencies between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz wherein said stimulation is at a locus on the spinal cord at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes for electrically stimulating the spinal cord epidurally, between the vertebrae and the dura mater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes for electrically stimulating the spinal cord subdurally, between the dura mater and the spinal cord.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes at pre-enlargement and enlargement segments of the spinal cord to induce locomotion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4, wherein, in said placing step, the electrodes are disposed epidurally, between the vertebrae and the dura mater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4, wherein, in said placing step, the electrodes are disposed subdurally, between the dura mater and the spinal cord.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the pulses have a duration of about 0.5 msec.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the pulses are delivered at a frequency of about 2.5 Hz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes for electrically stimulating the spinal cord at the lumbar pre-enlargement or enlargement segments of the spinal cord and wherein said stimulating step comprises the step of electrically stimulating the spinal cord with pulses having a frequency between 0.5 and 10 Hz to induce hindlimb or leg locomotor activity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes for electrically stimulating the spinal cord at the cervical pre-enlargement or enlargement segments of the spinal cord and wherein said stimulating step comprises the step of electrically stimulating the spinal cord with pulses having a frequency between 3 and 20 Hz to induce hindlimb or leg locomotor activity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes for electrically stimulating the spinal cord at the cervical pre-enlargement or enlargement segments of the spinal cord and wherein said stimulating step comprises the step of electrically stimulating the spinal cord with pulses having a frequency between 0.5 and 2.5 Hz to induce forelimb or arm locomotor activity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said stimulating step, the step of placing electrodes along dorsal column or dorsal root entry zones to induce locomotion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pulses have a duration of about 0.5 msec.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pulses are delivered at a frequency of about 2.5 Hz.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion, comprising: control means for controlling the generation of electrical signals having a pulse width between about 0.2 msec and about 2 msec and delivered at a frequency between about 0.5 Hz and about 10 Hz for inducing locomotion by direct spinal cord stimulation; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said control means, for receiving the signals and applying the signals to the spinal cord, when in use, at a locus at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion, comprising: control means for controlling the generation of electrical signals having a pulse width between about 0.2 msec and about 2 msec and delivered at a frequency between about 0.5 Hz and about 10 Hz for inducing locomotion by direct spinal cord stimulation; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said control means, for receiving the signals and applying the signals to the spinal cord, when in use, at a locus at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 15, wherein said electrode means comprises a multipolar electrode having a plurality of electrodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device according to claim 15, wherein said electrode means comprises at least one electrode for placement longitudinally on the spinal cord and a reference electrode for placement on the vertebra.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said control means is for controlling the generation of electrical signals having a pulse width between about 0.2 msec and about 2 msec and delivered at a frequency between about 0.5 Hz and about 2.5 Hz.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion in an animal, comprising: control means for controlling the generation of electrical signals having a pulse width between about 0.2 msec and about 2 msec and delivered at a frequency between about 0.5 Hz and about 10 Hz for inducing locomotion by direct spinal cord stimulation; transmitter means connected to said control means for transmitting the electrical signals; receiver means for placement under the skin of the animal for receiving the electrical signals and converting the signals into electrical pulses; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said receiver means, for transmitting the electrical pulses to the spinal cord, when in use, at a locus at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion in an animal, comprising: control means for controlling the generation of electrical signals having a pulse width between about 0.2 msec and about 2 msec and delivered at a frequency between about 0.5 Hz and about 10 Hz for inducing locomotion by direct spinal cord stimulation; transmitter means connected to said control means for transmitting the electrical signals; receiver means for placement under the skin of the animal for receiving the electrical signals and converting the signals into electrical pulses; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said receiver means, for transmitting the electrical pulses to the spinal cord, when in use, at a locus at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 19, wherein said electrode means comprises at least one electrode for placement on the spinal cord and a reference electrode for placement on the vertebra.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 20, wherein said electrode means comprises at least one pair of electrodes for placement longitudinally on the spinal cord.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device in accordance with claim 19, wherein said control means is for controlling the generation of electrical signals having a pulse width between about 0.2 msec and about 2 msec and delivered at a frequency between about 0.5 Hz and about 2.5 Hz.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of treating a patient with paraplegia or other disorders which impair locomotion to prosthetically induce walking comprising electrically stimulating the spinal cord of the patient using pulses having a duration of between 0.2 msec to 2 msec and a frequency between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz wherein said stimulation is at a locus on the spinal cord at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of treating a patient with paraplegia or other disorders which impair locomotion to prosthetically induce walking comprising electrically stimulating the spinal cord of the patient using pulses having a duration of between 0.2 msec to 2 msec and a frequency between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz wherein said stimulation is at a locus on the spinal cord at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of treating a patient with paraplegia or other disorders which impair locomotion where the spinal cord has been completely or partially disconnected from the brainstem, to prosthetically induce walking comprising electrically stimulating the spinal cord of the patient using pulses having a duration of between 0.2 msec to 2 msec and a frequency between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz wherein said stimulation is at a locus on the spinal cord at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of treating a patient with paraplegia or other disorders which impair locomotion where the spinal cord has been completely or partially disconnected from the brainstem, to prosthetically induce walking comprising electrically stimulating the spinal cord of the patient using pulses having a duration of between 0.2 msec to 2 msec and a frequency between 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz wherein said stimulation is at a locus on the spinal cord at which such stimulation induces locomotor activity.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
78 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion, comprising: control means capable of generating electrical signals having pulse widths of about 0.2 msec through about 2 msec and frequencies of about 0.5 Hz through about 20 Hz; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said control means, for receiving the signals generated by said control means and applying the signals to the spinal cord when in use.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
78 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion, comprising: control means capable of generating electrical signals having pulse widths of about 0.2 msec through about 2 msec and frequencies of about 0.5 Hz through about 20 Hz; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said control means, for receiving the signals generated by said control means and applying the signals to the spinal cord when in use.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion in an animal, comprising: control means capable of generating electrical signals having pulse widths of about 0.2 msec through about 2 msec and frequencies of about 0.5 Hz through about 20 Hz; transmitter means connected to said control means for transmitting the electrical signals; receiver means for placement under the skin of the animal for receiving the electrical signals and converting the signals into electrical pulses; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said receiver means, for transmitting the electrical pulses produced by said receiver means to the spinal cord, when in use.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for generating electrical pulses for inducing locomotion in an animal, comprising: control means capable of generating electrical signals having pulse widths of about 0.2 msec through about 2 msec and frequencies of about 0.5 Hz through about 20 Hz; transmitter means connected to said control means for transmitting the electrical signals; receiver means for placement under the skin of the animal for receiving the electrical signals and converting the signals into electrical pulses; and electrode means shaped and dimensioned so as to permit subdural or epidural implantation and connected to said receiver means, for transmitting the electrical pulses produced by said receiver means to the spinal cord, when in use.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |