Device And Method for Non-Invasive Neuromodulation

Abstract

One embodiment involves modifying neural transmission patterns between neural structures and/or neural regions in a noninvasive manner. In a related exemplary method, sound waves are directed toward a first targeted neural structure and characteristics of the sound waves are controlled at the first target neural structure with respect to characteristics of sound waves at the second target neural structure. In response, neural transmission patterns modified to produce the intended effect (e.g., long-term potentiation and long-term depression of the neural transmission patterns). In a related embodiment, a transducer produces the sound for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure, and an electronically-based control circuit is used to control characteristics of the sound waves as described above to modify the neural transmission patterns between the first and second neural structures.

1 . A system for modifying neural transmission patterns between a first neural structure and a second neural structure, the system comprising:
 a transducer arrangement configured and arranged to produce sound for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure;   a control circuit configured and arranged to control of characteristics of sound waves at the first target neural structure with respect to characteristics of sound waves at the second target neural structure for modifying the neural transmission patterns between a first neural structure and a second neural structure; and   implanted piezoelectric antennas configured to produce an electrical current in response to the sound waves.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein modifying the neural transmission patterns includes one of long-term potentiation and long-term depression of the neural transmission patterns. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sound waves at first target neural structure sufficiently raise the temperature of the first target neural structure so as to affect the firing rate of neurons in the first target neural structure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer arrangement includes a plurality of transducers that are each configured and arranged to be controlled by the control circuit. 
     
     
         5 . A method for modifying neural transmission patterns between a first neural structure and a second neural structure, the method comprising:
 producing sound waves;   directing the sound waves to implanted piezoelectric antennas configured to produce an electrical current in response to the sound waves at a first target neural structure and a second target neural structure; and   controlling characteristics of sound waves at the first target neural structure with respect to characteristics of sound waves at the second target neural structure to modify neural transmission patterns.   
     
     
         6 . A device for neuromodulation comprising:
 one or more energy emitters configured and arranged to emit energy that is focused to a focal point;   a targeting controller configured and arranged to determine a location in space at which the focal point is desired; and   an aiming controller configured and arranged to direct the focal point toward the location in space to non-destructively alter a pattern of functional responsiveness of cells at the location in space for a first time period to change responsiveness between two groups of cells for a second period of time that is substantially greater than the first period of time.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further including a secondary group of one or more energy emitters, wherein each of the two groups of cells is stimulated by one of the energy emitters. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the responsiveness between two groups of cells includes neural connectivity. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the responsiveness between two groups of cells is moderated by long-term potentiation (LTP). 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the responsiveness between two groups of cells is moderated by long-term depression (LTD). 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the energy heats a first group of cells of the two groups of cells thereby changing a spontaneous firing rate of the first group of cells. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the altering of a pattern of functional responsiveness is due to mechanical perturbations of a cell from the energy. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the energy is focused using one of a lens and a curved transducer portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the energy is focused by aiming an array of the energy emitters at the focal point. 
     
     
         15 . A system for modifying neural transmission patterns between a first neural structure and a second neural structure, the system comprising:
 a transducer arrangement configured and arranged to wirelessly stimulate the first neural structure and the second neural structure;   a control circuit configured and arranged to control of characteristics of the stimulus at the first target neural structure with respect to characteristics of sound waves at the second target neural structure thereby modifying the neural transmission patterns between a first neural structure and a second neural structure; and   an implanted piezoelectric antenna configured to produce an electrical current in response to the sound waves.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the transducer arrangement produces ultrasound for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the transducer arrangement produces radio frequency energy for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the transducer arrangement produces a magnetic field for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the transducer arrangement produces ionizing radiation for stimulating the first neural structure and the second neural structure.