Method and apparatus for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia

摘要

A method and apparatus for using low levels of electrical stimulation to treat spasmodic dysphonia by stimulating the afferent nervous system and/or altering the function of gamma motor neurons innervating muscles which experience symptomatic spasms.

主权项

1. A method of treating spasmodic dysphonia comprising: a. providing a system comprising a stimulating electrode operably connected with a processor configured to set one or more stimulation parameters for an electrical impulse deliverable by said electrode; b. placing said electrode in communication with at least one of the thyroarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, interarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid or cricothyroid muscles; c. using said processor to set said stimulation parameters such that said electrical impulse is adapted to cause a level of stimulation which does not exceed the excitability threshold of one or more alpha motor neurons located within said at least one muscle; and d. delivering said electrical impulse to said at least one of the thyroarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, interarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid or cricothyroid muscles.