Systems for recovery from motor control via stimulation to a substituted site to an affected area

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems for recovering motor control of an area in the body of a patient affected by a neurological disorder. A device vibrotactilely stimulates a substitute site for the affected area thereby recovering the motor control of the affected area. The stimulation provided by the device is volitionally controlled by the patient.

1 . A system for providing stimulation to a throat area of a subject, the system including:
 a device configured to be fitted over a throat area of a subject, the device including a vibrotactile stimulator;   a button configured to be volitionally operated by the subject; and   a controller in communication with the vibrotactile stimulator and in communication with the button, wherein the controller is configured to send a stimulation signal to the vibrotactile stimulator upon volitional operation of the button by the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation signal includes a frequency between about 50 Hz and about 2,000 Hz. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation signal includes a frequency between about 20 Hz and about 1,000 Hz. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrotactile stimulator includes one vibrator motor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrotactile stimulator includes a plurality of vibrator motors. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrotactile stimulator includes an eccentrically loaded mass. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrotactile stimulator includes a gearbox. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a movement sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a physiological sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is in wired communication with the vibrotactile stimulator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is in wireless communication with the vibrotactile stimulator. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the button is coupleable to a utensil. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is in wired communication with the button. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is in wireless communication with the button. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a light indicative of a position of the button. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a button cover. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes an adjustment mechanism configured to shift position of the vibrotactile stimulator. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a display. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrotactile stimulator is configured to produce vibration useful for treatment of dysphagia. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibrotactile stimulator is configured to produce vibration useful for treatment of dysphonia.