DE3042437A1 - Pulse generator for nerve current simulation - has frequency generator coupled to modulator linked to oscilloscope display - Google Patents

Abstract

The pulse generator provides pulses with an adjustable frequency and pulse ratio. Their modulation is adjusted to simulate nerve current pulses. The pulse generator can be coupled to an integrated oscilloscope display allowing visual feedback control of the simulation pulses. Pref. the obtained simulation pulses are fed to two electrodes attached to the body of the patient, so that the potential fed between them cancels the potentials at the nerve endings within the body indicating pain. The electrodes are protected from resonance. The pulse generator appts. can be used for post-operative pain control, or to control spastic muscle contractions etc.

Description

Patent specification

The invention relates to a medical, electronic device for simulation of nerve currents in the human organism.

The purpose of the invention is to neutralize action potentials, which signal pain in the human organism, a resting potential at the nerve endings to produce which signals freedom from pain. The signal must be generated of the rest potential can be modulated in such a way that it corresponds to the differentiated organic conditions is fair and the impulse can penetrate to the nerve endings. It will be here assumed that self-resonance skin electrodes are used for pulse transmission will.

It is known that so-called stimulation current devices are already used for pain therapy there are, however, only have the possibility to use a limited frequency and Change the amplitude, but not the modulation of the signal. Compare to this: Siemens & Halske, Neodynator 625, or General Med-Electronic TENS.

However, all previously known devices are not used to generate Rest potentials used at the nerve endings - they are also not suitable for this.

The criticism of the current state of the art is essentially related on the fact that it assumes that it is more uniform by impulses transmitted transcutaneously Art of causing muscle contractions, which only in isolated cases for pain relief leads.

The methods available to date for pain relief, be it in the postoperative Therapy case or in long-term therapy for people with spastic pain symptoms or stump pain, concentrated in the medical-technical-electronic field on the motor nervous system.

The sensitive nervous system has so far found its place in the therapy process Attention in pharmacological terms.

The side effects of therapy methods on a pharmacological basis are well known.

The invention is now based on the object of developing a method which allows the sensory nerve at its end, to which an action potential pain is signaled to the brain, with an opposing impulse to reach it and to neutralize the action potential, at the same time with a resting potential To signal freedom from pain.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that for the generation of the simulated nerve impulses an astable multivibrator with continuously adjustable Frequency and duty cycle is used as a control unit.

The specific design of the simulated nerve impulse for adaptation the organic constitution is carried out by a modulation generator.

The modulation control is carried out via an oscilloscope.

The impulses are transmitted through skin electrodes.

The advantages achieved by the invention are that a large Part of the drug pain relief for people suffering from ailments can be partially or completely exempted and so from the pharmacological related side effects will be exempted accordingly.

An embodiment is shown in the drawing and will described in more detail below.

They show: FIG. 1 a block diagram of the control unit and modulation generator Fig. 2 Oscilloscope block circuit Fig. 3 Skin electrodes Fig. 4 Measurement diagram of a Action potentials Fig. 5 measuring diagram of a resting potential Fig. 6 measuring diagram of a neutralized action potential.

Fig. 4 measurement diagram on the oscilloscope of an action potential on a myelinated mammalian nerve fiber, without changing the time and potential relationships, to clarify the proportions of the individual components.

(After GASSER: The control of excitation in the nervous system. Harvey Lectures 32: 169, 1957.) Fig. 5 Measurement diagram of a resting potential (also resting iembrane potential called) on the oscilloscope according to the above conditions.

6 measurement diagram of a neutralized action potential among the O.a. conditions on the oscilloscope.

Claims (3)

PATENT APPLICATION Pulse generator with adjustable frequency and duty cycle, characterized in that nerve currents by adjusting the modulation of the impulse s i m u 1 i e r t. 2. Pulse generator according to claim 1,> characterized in that the simulated nerve current impulses can be controlled on an integrated oscilloscope are. 3. Pulse generator according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that two skin electrodes transmit the simulated nerve current impulse to the organism.