Neural blocking therapy

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.

1 . A method of treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain, said method comprising: 
 placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising placing said electrode beneath a skull of said patient for said field to at least partially block neural activity within at least a portion of a cortex of said brain.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising placing said electrode within a ventricle of said brain with said electrode positioned to block neural activity of a portion of said brain associated with hormone production.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain, said apparatus comprising: 
 a electrode for creating a field near said region, said electrode adapted to be placed near said region    a controller for creating said field at said electrode with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said electrode is sized to be placed beneath a skull of said patient for said field to at least partially block neural activity within at least a portion of a cortex of said brain.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said electrode is sized to be placed within a ventricle of said brain with said electrode positioned to block neural activity of a portion of said brain associated with hormone production.  
   
   
       7 . A method of treating tissue sensation, said method comprising: 
 identifying a target area of tissue to be treated;    placing an electrode to create a field near said target area, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said target area.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for treating tissue sensation, said method comprising: 
 an electrode for creating a field near said target area, said electrode adapted to be placed against a tissue surface;    a controller for creating said field at said electrode with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field.    
   
   
       9 . A method of treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, said method comprising: 
 placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with said spinal cord, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said nerve.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, said apparatus comprising: 
 an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with said spinal cord, said electrode adapted to be positioned near said spinal cord;    a controller for creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said nerve.