Method and apparatus for stimulating the sphenopalatine ganglion to modify properties of the bbb and cerebral blood flow

• US 20040015068A1
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BrainsGate Ltd.
• Original Assignee: BrainsGate Ltd.
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi, Shalev, Alon
• Granted Patent: US 7,120,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis

Abstract

Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient is provided, including one or more electrodes (7), adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) (6) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG. A control unit (8) is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing (a) an increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the patient, (b) a change in cerebral blood flow of the patient, and/or (c) an inhibition of parasympathetic activity of the SPG.

Claims

1. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

a control unit, adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the patient.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted for a period of implantation in the patient greater than about one month.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, and comprising a wire, adapted to connect the control unit to the one or more electrodes, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes from a position external to the patient.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes by wireless communication from a position external to the patient.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, and comprising an electromagnetic coupling, adapted to couple the control unit and-the one or more electrodes.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted to be in electro-optical communication with the one or more electrodes.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted to be in electro-acoustic communication with the one or more electrodes.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the control unit is adapted to be implanted in a nasal cavity of the patient.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted to be implanted in a nasal cavity of the patient.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes comprises a flexible electrode, adapted for insertion through a nostril of the patient and to extend therefrom to the site.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, and comprising at least one biosensor, adapted to measure a physiological parameter of the patient and to generate a signal responsive thereto, wherein the control unit is adapted to modify a parameter of the applied current responsive to the signal.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a blood flow sensor.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a temperature sensor.

17. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a chemical sensor.

18. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises an ultrasound sensor.

19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises transcranial Doppler (TCD) apparatus.

20. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises laser-Doppler apparatus.

21. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a systemic blood pressure sensor.

22. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises an intracranial blood pressure sensor..

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the intracranial blood pressure sensor comprises a detecting element adapted to be fixed to a cerebral blood vessel, and wherein the control unit is adapted to analyze the signal to detect an indication of a change in blood pressure indicative of a clot.

24. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a kinetics sensor.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the control unit is adapted to analyze the signal to detect an indication of a change in body disposition of the patient.

26. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises an electroencephalographic (EEG) sensor.

27. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the biosensor comprises a blood vessel clot detector.

28. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current so as to facilitate uptake of a drug through the BBB when the permeability of the BBB is increased.

64. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14, wherein the one or more electrodes are adapted for a period of implantation in the patient less than about one week.

2. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

a control unit, adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

29. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is adapted to configure the current so as to increase a diameter of a blood vessel and allow an embolus that is located at a site in the blood vessel to move from the site in the blood vessel.

30. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply the current responsive to an indication of stroke.

3. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

a control unit, adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing a decrease in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

4. Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

one or more electrodes, adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

a control unit, adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inhibiting parasympathetic activity of the SPG.

31. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply the current responsive to an indication of migraine of the patient.

32. A method for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

selecting a site from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

applying a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the patient.

36. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein selecting the site comprises implanting an electrode at the site, designated to remain in the patient for a period greater than about one month.

37. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein selecting the site comprises placing an electrode at the site, and wherein applying the current comprises communicating with the electrode by wired communication from a position external to the patient.

38. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein selecting the site comprises placing an electrode at the site, and wherein applying the current comprises communicating with the electrode by wireless communication from a position external to the patient.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein communicating comprises communicating via electromagnetic coupling.

40. A method according to claim 38, wherein communicating comprises communicating via electro-optical coupling.

41. A method according to claim 38, wherein communicating comprises communicating via electro-acoustic coupling.

42. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein applying the current comprises implanting a control unit in a nasal cavity of the patient.

43. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein applying the current comprises implanting one or more electrodes in a nasal cavity of the patient.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein implanting comprises inserting a flexible electrode through a nostril of the patient.

45. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, and comprising sensing a physiological parameter of the patient and generating a signal responsive thereto, wherein applying the current comprises modifying a parameter of the applied current responsive to the signal.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing blood flow of the patient.

47. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing a temperature of the patient.

48. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing presence of a chemical.

49. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises detecting ultrasonic energy.

50. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises performing a transcranial Doppler (TCD) technique.

51. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises performing a laser-Doppler technique.

52. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing systemic blood pressure of the patient.

53. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing intracranial blood pressure of the patient.

54. A method according to claim 53, wherein sensing intracranial blood pressure fixing to a cerebral blood vessel a detecting element capable of generating the signal, and analyzing the signal to detect an indication of a change in blood pressure indicative of a clot.

55. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing a kinetic disposition of the patient.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein sensing the kinetic disposition comprises detecting an indication of a change in body disposition of the patient.

57. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises sensing electroencephalographic (EEG) data.

58. A method according to claim 45, wherein sensing comprises detecting presence of an embolus in a blood vessel of the patient.

59. A method according to claim 32, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current so as to facilitate uptake of a drug through the BBB when the permeability of the BBB is increased.

63. A method according to any one of claims 32-35, wherein selecting the site comprises implanting an electrode at the site, designated to remain in the patient for a period less than about one week.

33. A method for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

selecting a site from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

applying a current to the site capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

60. A method according to claim 33, wherein applying the current comprises configuring the current so as to increase a diameter of a blood vessel and allow an embolus that is located at a site in the blood vessel to move from the site in the blood vessel.

61. A method according to claim 33, wherein applying the current comprises applying the current responsive to an indication of stroke.

34. A method for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

selecting a site from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

applying a current to the site capable of inducing a decrease in cerebral blood flow of the patient.

35. A method for modifying a property of a brain of a patient, comprising:

selecting a site from a group of sites consisting of;

a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG; and

applying a current to the site capable of inhibiting parasympathetic activity of the SPG.

62. A method according to claim 35, wherein applying the current comprises applying the current responsive to an indication of migraine of the patient.

65. Vascular apparatus, comprising:

a detecting element, adapted to be fixed to a blood vessel of a patient and to generate a signal responsive to energy coming from the blood vessel; and

a control unit, adapted to analyze the signal so as to determine an indication of an embolus in the blood vessel.

66. Apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the detecting element comprises an energy transmitter and an energy receiver.

67. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the energy transmitter comprises an ultrasound transmitter.

68. Apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the energy transmitter comprises a transmitter of electromagnetic energy.

69. A method for detecting, comprising:

fixing a detecting element to a blood vessel of a patient;

generate a signal responsive to energy coming from the blood vessel; and

analyzing the signal so as to determine an indication of an embolus in the blood vessel.

70. A method according to claim 69, wherein generating the signal comprises transmitting energy at the blood vessel.

71. A method according to claim 70, wherein generating the signal comprises transmitting ultrasound energy at the blood vessel.

72. A method according to claim 70, wherein generating the signal comprises transmitting electromagnetic energy at the blood vessel.