Method for reversible chemical modulation of neural activity

Abstract

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of chemical blocking agents and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of modulating an immune or inflammatory response or process in a subject, the method comprising:
 delivering, with an implanted stimulation device, an electrical blocking stimulus sufficient to produce a conduction block in at least a portion of a nerve of the subject;   measuring an indicator of immune or inflammatory response or process of the subject; and   ceasing delivery of the electrical blocking stimulus after determining that the measurement of the indicator of immune or inflammatory response or process indicates that a modulation of the immune or inflammatory response or process has been obtained.   
     
     
         29 . The method of claim  1 , wherein measuring the indicator of the immune or inflammatory response or process includes the measuring the indicator in a region of the body of the subject innervated by the nerve; and 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the never is a sensory nerve. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein delivering the electrical blocking stimulus includes cyclically delivering the electrical blocking stimulus in a plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle includes:
 a blocking period during which the electrical blocking stimulus is applied at least intermittently, the blocking period coinciding at least in part with a first activity state in the subject; and   a release period during in which no electrical blocking stimulus is applied, the release period coinciding at least in part with a second activity state in the subject.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the method further comprises detecting at least one of the onset of the first activity state and the onset of the second activity state in the subject. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the immune or inflammatory response or process is associated with a neuropathy in the subject. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the immune or inflammatory response or process is associated with vascular disease in the subject. 
     
     
         35 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the immune or inflammatory response or process is associated with diabetes in the subject. 
     
     
         36 . A modulation system, comprising:
 a blocking stimulus source configured to generate a blocking stimulus for blocking conduction in a neural structure of a subject;   a user input device;   an activity sensor; and   a controller operably coupled to the blocking stimulus source, the user input device, and the activity sensor, wherein the controller is configured to
 receive a user input signal from the user input device; 
 receive an activity signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of the subject from the activity sensor; and 
 distinguish, based on the received activity signal, a first activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject from a second activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject; 
 control the blocking stimulus source to block conduction in the neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the first activity state; and 
 modify, based on the received user input, an operation of the blocking stimulus source. 
   
     
     
         37 . The neural modulation system of  claim 36  wherein the blocking stimulus source is configured to be implanted in the body of the subject. 
     
     
         38 . The neural modulation system of  claim 36  wherein the blocking stimulus source is configured to be positioned on or substantially adjacent to the body of the subject. 
     
     
         39 . The neural modulation system of  claim 36  wherein the blocking stimulus source includes at least one of an electrical blocking stimulus source, a magnetic blocking stimulus source, an ultrasonic blocking stimulus source, an optical blocking stimulus source, a thermal blocking stimulus source, and a chemical blocking stimulus source.