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Characteristics of Neuromodulation
- Neuromodulation entails an electrical or electromagnetic stimulating device that modulates, or exerts effect on, a specific neural pathway that is thought to be dysfunctional.
- Goal of Neuromodulation: to relieve symptoms as opposed to restoring function.
- Neuromodulation generally exerts its effects using preprogrammed stimulation patterns that do not require the patient’s involvement.
- The type of Neuromodulation product depends on the location and delivery of stimulation.
- Products examples: spinal cord stimulators, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), and magnetic stimulators, such as the Resonator™ device or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulators (TMS).
Electromagnetics
Electromagnetics is a subset of Neuromodulation. The Resonator™ device is an electromagnetic device that uses low level, specifically tuned electromagnetic fields for stimulation in order to relieve symptoms of a disorder or dysfunction.
History Highlights
- Electromagnetic induction was first discovered in 1831 when two coils were wound on an iron ring. It was demonstrated that when the coil on one side was connected or disconnected from a battery, an electrical current passed through the coil on the other side.
- In 1982, magnetic stimulation was used for peripheral stimulation and recorded the first muscle- evoked potential.
- In 1985, a significant breakthrough was achieved magnetic stimulation of the human motor cortex.
Present Day
There has been an explosion of applications of electromagnetic stimulation developed by others including, but not limited to the following FDA cleared devices:
- Neuronetic’s Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator (TMS) that uses electro-magnetic fields in the treatment of depression for patients unresponsive to drug therapy.
- BioniCare Medical Technologies’ OA Knee Device and the RA Hand Device for the treatment of arthritis.
- Neotonus’ NeoTone System for muscle rehabilitation, disuse atrophy, muscle re-education, muscles spasms, decreased blood flow, range of motion and other sports injuries.
- Ivivi Technologies Inc.’s targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF(tm)) therapeutic products which are indicated for the palliative treatment of post-operative pain and edema in superficial soft tissue.
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