APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus for providing electrostimulation of a biological tissue, the apparatus comprising: a first electrical signal provider for providing a first alternating electric field in the biological tissue, the first alternating electric field having a first frequency; a second electrical signal provider for providing a second alternating electric field in the biological tissue the second alternating electric field having a second frequency; wherein the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field provide a combined field in the biological tissue, and the apparatus comprises a controller configured to provide variations of at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency so that the combined field provides a pulsed interferential stimulation signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing electrostimulation of a biological tissue, the apparatus comprising: a first electrical signal provider for providing a first alternating electric field in the biological tissue, the first alternating electric field having a first frequency; a second electrical signal provider for providing a second alternating electric field in the biological tissue the second alternating electric field having a second frequency; wherein the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field provide a combined field in the biological tissue, and the apparatus comprises a controller configured to provide variations of at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency so that the combined field provides a pulsed interferential stimulation signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is configured to hold constant the amplitude of the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the variations provide a series of first intervals during which the first frequency matches the second frequency, and the first intervals are interleaved with a series of second intervals during which the first frequency is different from the second frequency.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the frequency difference during the second intervals provides amplitude modulation of the interferential stimulation signal having a beat period, and the second intervals have a duration which is an integer multiple of the beat period.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the variations provide a frequency difference, Δf, selected to provide stimulation of the biological tissue, e.g. by excitation in the natural band of electrically excitable cells in the biological tissue.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are both selected to avoid stimulation of the biological tissue, for example both are outside the natural band of electrically excitable cells in the biological tissue, for example both above a minimum frequency which is outside the natural band.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the biological tissue comprises brain or spinal tissue and the minimum frequency is at least 500 Hz, for example at least 800 Hz, for example at least 1 KHz.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the first electrical signal provider comprises a first current source for providing electrical current between a first two electrodes, thereby to provide the first electric field, and the second electrical signal provider comprises a second current source for providing electrical current between two electrodes, thereby to provide the second electric field.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the electrodes comprise electrodes for implantation into a living biological tissue, such as brain tissue and/or for being secured near the tissue—e.g. on the scalp.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the pulses have a duration of at least 5 ms.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim in which the pulses have a duration of less than 150 ms, for example less than 25 ms.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pulses have a duration of between 5 ms and 25 ms

13. A method of stimulating biological tissue the method comprising: controlling a first alternating current at a first location thereby to provide a first alternating electric field in the biological tissue, the first alternating electric field having a first frequency; providing a second alternating current at a second location thereby to provide a second alternating electric field in the biological tissue the second alternating electric field having a second frequency; wherein the first electric field and the second electric field combine to provide a combined field in the biological tissue at a third location, and the method comprises: varying at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency so that the combined field provides a pulsed interferential stimulation signal.

14. The method of claim 10 comprising keeping the amplitude of the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field constant during said varying.

15. The method of claim 13 or 14 wherein varying at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency comprises varying the first frequency while keeping the second frequency constant.

16. The method of any of claims 13 to 15 wherein at least one of the first location and the second location is in the biological tissue.

17. The method of any of claims 13 to 16 wherein the biological tissue is ex vivo and/or wherein the method is not a method of treatment of the living human or animal body by surgery or therapy.

18. A method of providing a pulsed inferential signal for stimulation of a biological tissue, the method comprising frequency modulating at least one of a plurality of electric fields applied to the tissue while holding the amplitude of the electric fields constant.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the frequency modulation is controlled to provide a train of pulses and the relative phase of the plurality of electrical fields is controlled to shape the pulses, for example wherein the electrical fields are at least one of: (a) in anti-phase at the start of each pulse (b) in phase at the middle of each pulse; and (c) in anti-phase at the end of each pulse.

20. An electrical signal controller for controlling electro-stimulation of biological tissue, the controller being operable to control at least two alternating electrical signals and being configured to perform the method of any of claims 13 to 19.

Description

FIGURES

[0033] Some embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for providing electrostimulation of a biological tissue;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows pulsed temporal interference waveforms produced by the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a shared time axis which compares the amplitude of pulsed temporal interference waveforms applied to neurons, neuron activations and spikes per second of neurons;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a theoretical model of modified Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) cell response to pulsed TI stimulation of different frequencies;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows experimental data obtained from a non-focal motor response to a single electrode stimulation;

[0039] In the drawings like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 for providing electrostimulation of a biological tissue, the apparatus having, a controller 101 a first electrical signal provider 106 and a second electrical signal provider 107. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus may be coupled to a biological tissue 200 so that the electrical signal providers can be used for applying two alternating electric fields to that tissue. Thus a first alternating electric field and a second alternating electric field may overlap in the biological tissue to provide a combined field.

[0041] The controller 101 is connected to the first electrical signal provider 106 and to the second electrical signal provider 107 and configured to cause variations in the frequency of the electrical signal produced by at least one of the two signal providers 106, 107. The controller is thereby able to frequency modulate one or both of the alternating electric fields to provide pulses (amplitude modulation) of the combined field in the tissue 200. This can provide a pulsed interferential stimulation signal, and the amplitude of each of the two electric fields can be held constant thereby reducing direct stimulation effects which might otherwise be caused by amplitude modulating either of the two electric fields themselves.

[0042] The first electrical signal provider 106 may be connected by a first current source 102, and a first transformer 104, to a first pair of electrodes 108, 109. This arrangement can be used to mediate the electric field due to the first electrical signal to the tissue 200. The second electrical signal 107 provider may be connected by a second current source 103, and a second transformer 105, to a second pair of electrodes 110, 111. This arrangement can be used to mediate the electric field due to the second electrical signal to the tissue 200. The current sources 102, 103, may each comprise a voltage controlled current source connected to be controlled by a voltage output provided by the controller 101.

[0043] The controller 101 may comprise a data generator configured to provide digital data representing samples of an alternating signal (e.g. a waveform) such as a sinusoid. The controller 101 can thus prepare a first waveform and a second waveform and control the first signal provider and the second signal provider to provide output voltages representing each of these waveforms e.g. It will be appreciated that any signal generator can be used to provide these output voltages—one example of such a signal provider is an output channel of a DAC (digital to analogue converter). The controller may thus control the signal providers to provide the first waveform in the form of a first voltage V.sub.1 to the first current source 102, and the second waveform in the form of a second voltage V.sub.2 to the second current source 103.

[0044] The first current source 102 can thus be configured to provide a first current source (CS) current I.sub.1′ based on the voltage V.sub.1 received from the controller 101. This current may comprise an alternating current, such as a sinusoid. The first CS current I.sub.1′ is passed through a primary coil of the first transformer 104 to induce an alternating first current I.sub.1 in the secondary coil of that transformer 104. This alternating first current I.sub.1 may thus be isolated from DC offset voltages in the current source so that it can be applied to a first pair of electrodes 108, 109 for causing a first electric field in the biological tissue. The second coil of the first transformer may be grounded e.g. connected to a reference voltage. The first transformer may have a turns ratio of 1, in which case, the first CS current is equal to the first current (I.sub.1′=I.sub.1).

[0045] The second current source 103 may similarly be configured to provide a second current source (CS) current I.sub.2′ based on the voltage V.sub.2 received from the controller 101. This can be connected to a second transformer 105 arranged identically to the first transformer 104. A second current I.sub.2 can thus be provided which is isolated from DC offset voltages in the current source so that it can be applied to a second pair of electrodes 110, 111 for causing a second electric field in the biological tissue. The secondary coil of the second transformer may also be grounded e.g. by being connected to the same reference voltages as the first transformer. The second transformer may have a turns ratio of 1, in which case the second CS current is equal to the second current (I.sub.2′=I.sub.2).

[0046] The alternating first and second currents, I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 respectively, may be sinusoidal. The first and second currents may be described mathematically as follows:

I.sub.1=A.sub.1 cos(2πf.sub.1t+φ.sub.1)

I.sub.2=A.sub.2 cos(2πf.sub.2t+φ.sub.2)

[0047] Wherein A is the amplitude, f is the frequency, φ is the phase, t is the time and the subscripts 1 and 2 denote which current signal the respective parameters describe.

[0048] In operation, the electrodes 108, 109, 110, 111 may be coupled to the biological tissue to provide a first alternating electric field between the first electrodes 108 and 109, and a second alternating electric field between the second electrodes 110, 111. For example they may be located around the biological tissue such that a straight line between the first pair of electrodes 108, 109 intersects at least part of the biological tissue 200. The second electrodes 110, 111 may also be located such that a straight line between the second pair of electrodes intersects at least part of the biological tissue 200, including a part between the first pair of electrodes 108, 109. This part, e.g. a target region of the biological tissue, may thus lie between both pairs of electrodes so that the electric fields from the two pairs of electrodes can combine in the target region of the biological tissue.

[0049] Operation of this arrangement in a method for providing pulses of interferential stimulation by electric field will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0050] FIG. 2 comprises a first plot 202 in which the vertical axis indicates frequency, and the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time. This first plot includes a first time series indicating the frequency of the first alternating electrical signal I.sub.1 (e.g. provided at the first electrodes 108, 109), and a second time series indicating the frequency of the second alternating electrical signal I.sub.2 (e.g. provided at the first electrodes 108, 109).

[0051] FIG. 2 also comprises a second plot 204 in which the vertical axis indicates electric field (e.g. the instantaneous electric field value) in arbitrary units. This second plot shows a single time series indicating the combined field produced in the target tissue. This single time series is however illustrated in terms of the instantaneous scalar value of the oscillating combined electric field, and the envelope of the amplitude modulation of that oscillating (alternating) electric field is also shown for the purposes of illustration.

[0052] The two plots share a common time axis, which is gradated in milliseconds over an interval of one second.

[0053] The frequency of the first alternating electrical signal I.sub.1 is held constant by the controller throughout the illustrated interval. This is indicated by a straight horizontal line on the first plot indicating a constant frequency maintained throughout. This frequency may be much higher than the natural band of the electrically excitable cells in the tissue. For example, it may be 1000 Hz as shown in the first plot 202 of FIG. 2.

[0054] The frequency of the second alternating electrical signal I.sub.2 may be controlled, by the controller 101, as a boxcar wave (e.g. a sequence of square pulses). As illustrated in the first plot of FIG. 2, the pulses of this boxcar wave in I.sub.2 begin at t=0 ms. The frequency of I.sub.2 at this instant may match (e.g. be equal to) the frequency of the first alternating electrical signal, e.g. 1000 Hz in FIG. 2. The controller 101 then changes, e.g. raises, The frequency of the second alternating electrical signal by a frequency difference Δf (e.g. 50 Hz) to a second frequency for the duration of the pulse (e.g. 20 ms), before returning to the frequency of the first alternating electrical signal, e.g. 1000 Hz in FIG. 2. The pulses in frequency of the second alternating signal then repeat with a period selected according to the tissue and/or excitable cell type which is to be stimulated—in FIG. 2 this is shown as 200 ms.

[0055] The second plot shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the instantaneous amplitude of the combined field provided by the above described frequency modulation of the two alternating electric fields. The plot shows the amplitude modulated envelope of the combined field, superposed on the field itself. Although not clearly visible in the second plot of FIG. 2, during the intervals in which the two alternating signals differ by the frequency difference, the combined field oscillates with a frequency which is equal to the average of the first frequency and the second frequency, e.g. 1025 Hz. The envelope of that oscillation however corresponds to the beat frequency (e.g. the difference in frequency between the two applied electric fields). This is of course manifest as a measurable frequency component of the oscillation of the combined field. It can thus be seen that, by control of the frequency of the two applied electric fields, pulses of electric field in the natural band of the electrically excitable cells can be provided without the need to amplitude modulate either of the two signals.

[0056] The controller 100 may be configured to provide a phase shift, φ.sub.1, φ.sub.2 to either or both of the two current signals, and to set these phase shifts so that the two alternating electrical signals are in antiphase at the start of each pulse of the combined field. The phase shift may also be controlled so that the two alternating electrical signals are in phase at the middle of the pulse and/or in antiphase again at the end of each pulse of the combined field. The provision of this controlled phase shift may provide improved pulse shaping, which may avoid energy leaking into undesired frequency bands e.g. outside the natural band of the electrically excitable cells.

[0057] The controller 101 is configured to provide variations of at least one of the first frequency f.sub.1 and the second frequency f.sub.2 so that the combined field provides a pulsed interferential stimulation signal. The variations provide a frequency difference, Δf, selected to provide stimulation of the biological tissue. For example, the frequency of the first alternating electric field may be varied by ±Δf/2 and the frequency of the second alternating electric field may be varied by ∓Δf/2. For example, the first frequency and the second frequency are both greater than a minimum frequency selected to avoid stimulation of the biological tissue. For example, when the biological tissue comprises brain or spinal cord tissue the minimum frequency may be at least 500 Hz, for example at least 800 Hz, for example at least 1 KHz to prevent stimulation of the biological tissue.

[0058] Optionally the apparatus may be configured to hold constant the amplitude of the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field. The term constant is understood to mean sufficiently constant over time periods equal to, or greater than, the pulse time period (e.g. the inverse of the pulse frequency). This allows the first and second alternating electric fields to destructively interfere to produce a combined field with zero amplitude at regions of the biological tissue wherein stimulation is not desired.

[0059] The pulses may be configured to have a duration of at least 5 ms, or have a duration of less than 150 ms (for example less than ms), or have a duration of between 5 ms and 25 ms. The values for the durations herein refer to the complete pulse width.

[0060] In use, the first waveform and the second waveform are prepared by the controller 101. The controller provides the first voltage V.sub.1 based on the first waveform, to the first current source 102. The controller provides the second voltage V.sub.2 based on the second waveform, to the second current source 103. The first current source provides the first current source (CS) current I.sub.1′ based on the first output voltage V.sub.1. The first SC current I.sub.1′ is passed through the first transformer 104 to induce the first current I.sub.1, e.g. between the electrodes 108, 109. Similarly, the second current source provides the second current source (CS) current I.sub.2′ based on the second output voltage V.sub.2. The second SC current I.sub.2′ is passed through the second transformer 104 to induce the second current I.sub.2, e.g. between the electrodes 110, 111. The first electrical signal provider can thus provide the first alternating electric field in the biological tissue 200, the first alternating electric field having the first frequency f.sub.1. Likewise, the second electrical signal provider can thus provide the second alternating electric field in the biological tissue 200, the second alternating electric field having the second frequency f.sub.2.

[0061] As discussed above, the first and second alternating electric fields may be proportional to the first and second alternating currents—e.g. depending on the electrical impedance between the respective pairs of electrodes.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows three plots having a common time axis. These plots show the amplitude of pulsed temporal interference waveforms applied to neurons, neuron activations and spikes per second of neurons. The plots were obtained using neural network modelling.

[0063] The first plot indicates the combined field applied to a biological tissue, and shows a series of pulses such as those described above with reference to the second plot of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the pulses in the combined field have a 20 ms duration, and a 200 ms period (e.g. a 10% duty cycle).

[0064] The second plot indicates excitation of excitable cells in the biological tissue. The third plot indicates the total number of excited cells as a function of time.

[0065] These results show that during times where a pulse is provided with a frequency within the cells' natural band and with an amplitude exceeding a threshold amplitude, the number of neurons stimulated increases, therefore demonstrating the ability of the apparatus to stimulate neuron activity (neuron spikes).

[0066] The size, shape and position of a region where the envelope amplitude exceeds a given threshold depends on the relative amplitudes of the two current channels and on the placement of the electrodes for the two channels. In some aspects of the disclosure, these factors are adjusted to precisely position this region at the targeted tissue. For example, in some scenarios involving interferential stimulation, transcranial electrodes create electric fields in a brain such that: (i) an interferential zone is created close to one or more of the electrodes at a superficial depth in the brain (e.g. in the cortex); (ii) an interferential zone is created at a deeper depth of the brain but laterally close to the electrodes; or (iii) an interferential zone is created at any brain depth in a region that it is remote from the electrodes.

[0067] Optionally the first electrode pair and second electrode pair may be positioned such that, at a given time, the largest magnitude of the envelope amplitude occurs in only one region of the brain. This region is path-connected and consists only of those points at which the largest magnitude of the envelope amplitude occurs. This region of highest envelope amplitude may be precisely targeted. For example, in some aspects, this region of highest envelope amplitude is positioned such that the region spatially coincides with (i) cortical tissue of a brain, (ii) subcortical tissue of a brain; (iii) heart tissue, or (iv) tissue in a nerve. More generally, this region of highest envelope amplitude may be precisely positioned on target tissue anywhere in the body.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a theoretical model of modified Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) cell response to pulsed TI stimulation of different frequencies at varying duty cycles (10-100% range in increments of 10%). Thresholds for pulse widths >˜150 ms could not be found with the HH model, also when classical model was tested with conventional bipolar pulses.

[0069] Response of a modified Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) cell to pTI current injections was modelled. In this model. It was predicted that the cell responds preferentially to pulses in a clear optimum pulse width region (˜5-25 ms).

[0070] FIG. 5 shows experimental data obtained from a non-focal motor response to a single electrode stimulation shows preferential response to pulse widths of 50-100 ms (n=1).

[0071] A non-focal motor response was evoked using a single electrode pair positioned on a mouse brain (coordinates relative to bregma: stimulating electrode on AP −1.5 mm, ML+0.5 mm, sink on AP 1.5 mm, ML+0.5 mm), with either low frequency (4 Hz) or high frequency amplitude modulated (4 Hz at a carrier frequency of 1000 HZ) pulses of varying pulse duration. Both stimulation types show similar modulation of current threshold by pulse width and decrease of threshold by ˜20-25% in 50-100 ms range. Motor responses evoked consisted of paw, whisker and hindpaw movement.

[0072] The embodiments described above are intended merely to be exemplary not to be limiting. For example, the arrangement of electrical connectors between the signal providers and the tissue may be different—the transformers are optional, and may be replaced by any appropriate connection system. Voltage controlled current sources and grounding are mentioned as an option but other ways of providing the electric fields and stimulating the tissue may be used. The electrodes 108, 109, 110, 111 are described as being coupled to the biological tissue. This coupling may comprise a direct electrical connection, for example the electrodes may be directly connected to the biological tissue, e.g. by being implanted in it. The coupling however may also be indirect, and may be mediated by other biological and/or non-biological structures. For example, the electrodes may be placed on the skin (e.g. the scalp) of a subject for targeting excitable cells in a target region of tissue (such as brain tissue) which is disposed between the locations to which the electrodes are affixed. One example of the arrangement of electrodes is shown in FIG. 1, but the electrode locations may be chosen differently according to need.

[0073] As another example—it is explained above that one of the two frequencies may be held constant while the other is modulated, but this is optional. For example, rather than modulating one frequency by Δf, it is possible instead to modulate both frequencies but each in the opposite sense, so that the frequency of one signal is reduced while the other is increased, for example one may be increased (e.g. by Δf/x) while the other is reduced by a corresponding amount (e.g. by Δf(1−1/x)). The two changes in frequency may be equal and opposite, but any combination of changes may be chosen to chosen to provide the desired frequency difference of Δf for the duration of the pulse.

[0074] Digital signal generation has been described (e.g. using digital samples of a waveform) and this has some advantages, for example because pre-generated waveforms can simply be played out and/or because it can allow precise control of instantaneous phase. However, analogue signal generators such as tuneable tank circuits can also be used.

[0075] The electrically excitable cells described herein may comprise any one or more types of cells selected from the list comprising neurons, muscle cells (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth), and some endocrine cells (e.g., insulin-releasing pancreatic β cells).

[0076] A neuronal response to an electrical stimulus can be affected by its duration and pattern. For example, long pulse stimuli can increase neuronal spiking threshold and specific pulse successions such as theta burst stimulation can more effectively induce long-lasting plasticity effects, also in humans. Temporal Interference (TI) is a non-invasive deep brain stimulation technique that uses high frequency alternating currents that stimulate neurons regularly at their frequency difference. While TI is capable of stimulating deep layers without overlying cortex, its strength drops with the stimulation depth.

[0077] It will thus be appreciated, having read the preceding disclosure, that a TI apparatus for providing pulsed electrostimulation of a biological tissue is provided. The apparatus generally comprises: a first electrical signal provider for providing a first alternating electric field in the biological tissue, the first alternating electric field having a first frequency; a second electrical signal provider for providing a second alternating electric field in the biological tissue the second alternating electric field having a second frequency; wherein the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field provide a combined field in the biological tissue, and the apparatus comprises a controller configured to provide variations of at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency so that the combined field provides a pulsed interferential stimulation signal. This apparatus finds a number of useful applications such as those described herein and further applications and uses of this apparatus will be apparent to the skilled addressee in the context of the present disclosure.