Apparatus for modulation of effector organs

Abstract

Modulation of target effector organs in vertebrate beings using direct current stimulation for stimulation of spinal cord at regions of autonomic innervation, using direct current for peripheral nerve stimulation, by modulating central autonomic outflow and combinations thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for modulating activity of an autonomically-innervated effector organ in a vertebrate being, the system comprising:
 a first housing including a first DC power source that provides direct current between power terminals of opposite polarity;   a first stimulation component including a spinal stimulation circuit coupled to the power terminals and having an identified spinal signal output connection and an identified spinal reference connection, both on said housing, and configured to provide a constant direct current spinal stimulation signal between a first active electrode located at a spinal location associated with efferent neural outflow to the autonomically-innervated effector organ and a second return electrode for spinal direct current stimulation associated with modulation of the activity of the autonomically-innervated effector organ;   a second housing including a second DC power source that provides direct current between power terminals of opposite polarity; and   a second stimulation component including a neural stimulation circuit coupled to the power terminals of the second DC power source and having an identified neural signal output connection and an identified neural reference connection, both connections on said housing, that provides a constant direct current neural stimulation signal between third electrode and a fourth electrode configured to be attached across a section of a nerve associated with the autonomically-innervated effector organ.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said autonomically-innervated effector organ is the bladder. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said spinal location is at spinal level S2-S4 or at spinal level T11-L2. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second electrode is positioned at an exterior abdominal location or iliac crest. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is implanted. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second electrode is positioned within the bladder trans-urethrally. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is implanted. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an implanted feedback device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said autonomically-innervated effector organ is the bladder and said implanted feedback device is a bladder pressure sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signal-providing component is transcranial direct current stimulation. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signal-providing component is transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signal-providing component is transcranial magnetic stimulation. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signal-providing component is temperature stimulation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said signal-providing component is a pharmacological agent. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first DC power source communicates wirelessly with said second DC power source. 
     
     
         16 . A method for modulating activity of an autonomically-innervated effector organ in vertebrate beings, the method comprising:
 applying a source of direct current to a spinal location associated with efferent neural outflow to the autonomically-innervated effector organ.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 applying a source of pulsed direct current to a nerve providing neural control of muscles of the autonomically-innervated effector organ.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 modulating central autonomic outflow.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 modulating central autonomic outflow.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the activity of an autonomically-innervated effector organ is bladder function.