Nerve Stimulation by Implanted Microwave Diode

Damage to nerves in the body can cause loss of voluntary muscle function, such as the arms and legs, and loss of involuntary muscle function such as heart contraction, control of urination, etc. In many cases, if appropriate nerves could be stimulated by external means, these functions could be restored. This paper describes experimental work to develop an extremely small implanted device which, when located close to a viable impaired nerve, can restore its function. The device is activated by RF electromagnetic waves passing through the skin which do not damage the intervening tissue.