Methods of inducing paresthesia using wireless neurostimulation

Abstract

A grooved electrode adapted for interfacing cellular matter is provided. The grooved electrode includes grooves adapted for electrically interfacing the grooved electrode with cellular matter growing along the body of the grooved electrode. Further, the grooved electrode includes a wireless transponder adapted to electrically interface with cellular matter and to relay such interactions via RF signals. The RF signals received by the wireless transponder are modulated in response to electrical signals generated by the cellular matter, which are detected by the transponder. The grooved electrode may be implanted within peripheral nerves for treating various neurological conditions, which may include nerve rehabilitation and prosthetic actuation, severe pain, obstructive sleep apnea and so forth.

1 .- 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A method for treating pain, comprising:
 implanting a wireless transponder within a peripheral nerve of a patient; and   transplanting electromagnetic signals to the transponder to electrically stimulate the peripheral nerve, causing paresthesia of a painful area in the patient.   
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the transponder is enclosed within a biocompatible material adapted to be implanted within the peripheral nerves. 
   
   
       41 - 42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . A method for treating pain comprising:
 implanting a wireless transponder in tissue including peripheral nerves; and   transmitting electromagnetic signals to the transponder to electrically stimulate the peripheral nerves, causing paresthesia in the patient.   
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising causing paresthesia for a predetermined duration. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said electromagnetic signals are transmitted inductively. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising providing grooves on the wireless transponder. 
   
   
       47 . A method of treating patients suffering from persistent pain comprising:
 selectively applying a stimulation signal from a wireless stimulus generator, when activated, to an electrode implanted in stimulating relation to a peripheral nerve, and activating the wireless stimulus generator to generate said stimulation signal to alleviate the pain under treatment.   
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said stimulation signal generates paresthesia. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising providing grooves on said wireless stimulus generator. 
   
   
       50 . A method of treating pain symptoms comprising:
 positioning a battery-free wireless stimulator in tissue including peripheral nerves;   providing inductive energy to said stimulator; and stimulating said peripheral nerves to induce paresthesia.   
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein said stimulating is an electrical stimulation. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising providing grooves on said battery-free wireless stimulator. 
   
   
       53 . A method of inducing parasthesia comprising:
 positioning a wireless transponder in the vicinity of peripheral nerves; and generating a stimulation with said wireless transponder to induce paresthesia.   
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising transmitting energy to said wireless transponder. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said energy is transmitted inductively. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising providing grooves on said wireless transponder.