Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient

• US 20050021106A1
• Filed: 08/06/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Firlik, Andrew D., Gliner, Bradford Evan, Balzer, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US10/913,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20050021106A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/361 Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

The present disclosure suggests methods of selecting a stimulation site for stimulating a patient'"'"'s brain or methods of effectuating a neural-function of a patient associated with an impaired body function. In one exemplary implementation, such a neural function may be effectuated by selecting a stimulation site, positioning at least a first electrode at the stimulation site, and applying an electrical potential to pass a current through the first electrode. If one aspect, this stimulation site may be selected by a) identifying a second body function that is a corollary to the impaired body function, and b) determining a corollary location of the patient'"'"'s brain that is associated with the second body function and is ipsilateral to the impaired body function.

Claims

1-32. -32. (Cancelled)

33. A method for effectuating a neural function related to a body part affected by a stroke, comprising:

identifying an ipsilateral hemisphere in the brain relative to the affected body part;

implanting an electrode at a cortical stimulation site selected to promote the neural function related to the affected body part, the cortical stimulation site being at least proximate to the cortex in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the brain; and

applying an ipsilateral electrical stimulation to the cortical stimulation site.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising performing an adjunctive therapy related to the affected body part.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises moving the affected body part.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises electrically stimulating the affected body part.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.

45. A method for effectuating a neural function related to a body part affected by a stroke, comprising:

positioning an electrode at a cortical stimulation site selected to promote the neural function related to the affected body part, the cortical stimulation site being at least proximate to the cortex in an ipsilateral hemisphere of the brain relative to the affected body part; and

applying an ipsilateral electrical stimulation to the cortical stimulation site.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.

49. The method of claim 46 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.

50. The method of claim 45, further comprising performing an adjunctive therapy related to the affected body part.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises moving the affected body part.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the adjunctive therapy comprises electrically stimulating the affected body part.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising applying a contralateral electrical stimulation to a stimulation site at least proximate to the cortex in a contralateral hemisphere of the brain.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied concurrently.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and the contralateral electrical stimulation are applied sequentially.

56. The method of claim 53 wherein the ipsilateral electrical stimulation and contralateral electrical stimulation have different frequencies.