Spinal cord implant systems and methods

Abstract

A system for transferring spinal cord signals comprises a superior electrode and an inferior electrode. The superior electrode interfaces with a first portion of a spinal cord of a human body; and the inferior electrode interfaces with a second portion of the spinal cord. The superior electrode has at least one superior contact for receiving signals from the first portion of the spinal cord to transmit to the inferior electrode; and the inferior electrode has at least one inferior contact for transmitting signals received from the superior electrode to the second portion of the spinal cord.

1 . A system for transferring spinal cord signals, comprising:
 a superior electrode for interfacing with a first portion of a spinal cord of a human body; and   an inferior electrode for interfacing with a second portion of the spinal cord, wherein
 the superior electrode has at least one superior contact for receiving signals from the first portion of the spinal cord to transmit to the inferior electrode, and 
 the inferior electrode has at least one inferior contact for transmitting signals received from the superior electrode to the second portion of the spinal cord. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the inferior electrode has at least one inferior contact for receiving signals from the second portion of the spinal cord to transmit to the superior electrode, and   the superior electrode has at least one superior contact for transmitting signals received from the inferior electrode to the first portion of the spinal cord.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising processing circuitry for processing signals transferred between the superior electrode and the inferior electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one superior contact for receiving signals is individually addressable, and   the at least one inferior contact for transmitting signals is individually addressable.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein
 the at least one inferior contact for receiving signals is individually addressable, and   the at least one superior contact for transmitting signals is individually addressable.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the superior electrode penetrates the first portion of the spinal cord and the inferior electrode penetrates the second portion of the spinal cord, wherein
 the first portion of the spinal cord is within a superior segment of the spinal cord, said superior segment being anatomically intact and in contact with a brain of the human body; and   the second portion of the spinal cord is within an inferior segment of the spinal cord, said inferior segment being anatomically intact and separate from the superior segment.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of superior electrodes for interfacing with the first portion of the spinal cord; and   a plurality of inferior electrodes for interfacing with the second portion of the spinal cord.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising
 a superior backing coupled to the plurality of superior electrodes to form an array, wherein the superior backing is curved to match a curvature of the spinal cord, and   an inferior backing coupled to the plurality of inferior electrodes in an array, wherein the inferior backing is curved to match a curvature of the spinal cord.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the superior backing and the inferior backing measures between about 0.5 cm and about 3 cm along an axis substantially parallel to the spinal cord. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the superior backing and the inferior backing measures between about 0.5 cm and about 3 cm along an axis substantially perpendicular to the spinal cord. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , the superior electrode and the inferior electrode being along a first lateral side of the spinal cord. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second superior electrode and a second inferior electrode, the second superior electrode and the second inferior electrode being along a second lateral side of the spinal cord. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , the superior electrode and the inferior electrode being along a dorsal side of the spinal cord. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the superior backing and the inferior backing are implanted within a subdural space of a spine containing the spinal cord. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry includes:
 an amplifier for amplifying received signals; and   a power supply for generating power for the processing circuitry.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , the power supply being external to a dura of the spinal cord. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry includes:
 a stimulator for sending stimulation signals; and   a switching matrix for selectively coupling an electrode to the stimulator.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry includes:
 a processor for modifying signals; and   a programming interface for modifying the processor and for interfacing with a programming device external to the human body.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry includes:
 a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the signals received from a portion of the spinal cord; and   a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving signals transmitted by the wireless transmitter.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry is implanted within a subdural space of a spine containing the spinal cord. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a superior wire coupled to the superior electrode and an inferior wire coupled to the inferior electrode, wherein the superior wire and the inferior wire are implanted within a subdural space of a spine containing the spinal cord. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the superior backing and the inferior backing are composed of bio-compatible materials.