Method and apparatus for treating restless legs syndrome

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that may be used to treat one or more restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms of a patient. One example method may include generating first and second stimulation waveforms using a waveform generator; electrically stimulating at least a portion of a sacral region of the patient, based on the first and second stimulation waveforms, using a number of electrodes; damping or interfering with electrical signals transmitted from the patient's brain to the patient's legs via a femoral nerve of the patient using the electrical stimulation; and reducing the one or more symptoms of RLS based on damping or interfering with the electrical signals transmitted from the patient's brain.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to co-pending and commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 171,218 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME” filed on Jun. 4, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present embodiments relate generally to restless legs syndrome (RLS), and specifically to non-invasive techniques for treating one or more symptoms of RLS.BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART[0003]Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. It most commonly affects the legs, but can affect the arms, torso, and even phantom limbs, RLS sensations range from pain or an aching in the muscles, to an itch you can't scratch,” an unpleasant “tickle that won't stop,” or even a “crawling” feeling. The sensations typically be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for treating RLS symptoms in patients using electrical stimulation. The system includes a waveform generator and four electrodes that are placed on the patient's lumbar region and right and left legs. The electrodes are designed to stimulate the femoral nerve and reduce or prevent the transmission of signals from the brain to the legs that cause RLS symptoms. The technical effect of the system is to provide a non-invasive and effective treatment for RLS symptoms.

Problems solved by technology

These symptoms of RLS can make sleeping difficult for many patients and a recent poll shows the presence of significant daytime difficulties resulting from this condition.

It is often progressive and gets worse with age.

RLS drug therapy is not curative and has side effects such as nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, orthostatic hypotension, or daytime sleep attacks.

There are, however, issues with the use of dopamine agonists including augmentation.

Dopamine agonists may also cause rebound, when symptoms increase as the drug wears off.

In many cases, the longer dopamine agonists are used the higher the risk of augmentation and rebound as well as the severity of the symptoms.

A recent study has indicated that dopamine agonists used in restless leg syndrome may lead to an increase in compulsive gambling.

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