Systems and methods for applying or receiving signals to or from biological tissues

Abstract

Systems and methods for applying and/or receiving electrical, magnetic, magnetoelectric, vibratory, or electromagnetic signals to biological tissues are described. In some embodiments, a system including a body and an electrode may be placed in contact with a biological tissue portion. A force may be applied to the body such that the body plastically deforms to adapt to a shape of the biological tissue portion, and the electrode may be used to apply and/or receive an electrical signal via the biological tissue portion.

1 . A method for applying and/or receiving an electrical signal, the method comprising:
 placing a system comprising a body and an electrode in contact with a biological tissue portion, wherein the body has:   a deformation characteristic such that when a proximal end of the body is fixed and a first torque is applied to a distal end of the body such that the body exhibits 30 degrees of flexion relative to an original state, the body retains at least 10 degrees of deformation after the first torque is removed   a flexibility characteristic such that a second torque less than or equal to 2.5 Newton-meters produces at least 30 degrees of flexion when the second torque is applied to a distal end of the body while a proximal end of the body is fixed;   applying a force to the body such that the body plastically deforms to adapt to a shape of the biological tissue portion;   using the electrode to apply and/or receive an electrical signal via the biological tissue portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first configuration that is substantially straight and a second configuration that is substantially bent, and applying the force results in the body transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the force comprises at least partially wrapping the body around a portion of a user's body. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the portion of the user's body is selected from a group consisting of: an ear, an arm, a hand, a finger, a leg, a foot, a toe, a head, a neck, and a penis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of conductive filaments, the plurality of conductive filaments comprising a first filament extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the body,
 wherein placing the system in contact with the biological tissue portion results in the first filament directly contacting the biological tissue portion.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a magnetic element, the magnetic element being selected from a group consisting of: a magnet, a toroid, a conductive coil, a magnetic powder, and a magnetic fluid;
 wherein the method further comprises placing the magnetic element proximate the biological tissue portion such that an energy field applied by the electrode is distributed in a different pattern than said energy field would have been distributed if the magnetic element were not present.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a surface of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed in one or more coils around a user's thigh, and the electrode is arranged along the user's pelvic floor and a second is electrode arranged around skin near the user's distal hip. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed around a penis, and the biological tissue portion is on the penis. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed in a ring around a bicep, and the biological tissue portion is on a shoulder and/or a proximal portion of bicep region, wherein a second electrode is placed in contact with a distal portion of the bicep. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed around a knee. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is arranged along a path of a vagus nerve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body may be arranged proximal to an ankle, wherein the electrode is disposed near a location with visceral or nervous entities. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is intertwined with itself. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is coiled multiple times. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is intertwined with itself after it has been coiled. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed around the lower spine substantially between T-8 and S-3. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body is disposed around the lower spine substantially between T-1 and L-2. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the body is disposed around T11.