Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient
First Claim
1. An implantable electrode assembly, comprising:
- an implantable medium having a flexible body that is configurable between a first shape for insertion through a hole in the patient and a second shape different than the first shape to cover a surface area on a patient having a different size than the hole; and
a plurality of electrodes carried by the flexible body, the electrodes being independently operable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring or is expected to occur. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present or expected to occur. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An implantable electrode assembly, comprising:
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an implantable medium having a flexible body that is configurable between a first shape for insertion through a hole in the patient and a second shape different than the first shape to cover a surface area on a patient having a different size than the hole; and
a plurality of electrodes carried by the flexible body, the electrodes being independently operable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An implantable electrode assembly, comprising:
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a flexible support member having a first configuration for insertion through a hole in the patient and a second configuration for covering a portion of a cortical surface of the patient; and
a plurality of electrodes carried by the support member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An implantable electrode assembly, comprising:
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an expandable support member having a flexible body; and
a plurality of electrodes carried by the support member. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of stimulating a brain of a patient for effectuating a neural function comprising:
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positioning an electrode assembly in a first configuration proximate to a cortical region of the brain;
reconfiguring the electrode assembly to have a second configuration different than the first configuration; and
applying an electrical stimulation to the cortical region of the brain through the electrode assembly. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of electrically stimulating a region of a brain of a patient, comprising:
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inserting an electrode assembly into the patient while the electrode assembly is in an insertion configuration;
altering the electrode assembly to be in a treatment configuration different than the insertion configuration after inserting the electrode assembly into the patient; and
applying electrical pulses to the brain through the electrode assembly. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification