Methods and apparatuses for treating neurological disorders by electrically stimulating cells implanted in the nervous system
First Claim
1. A method for treating a neural disorder, comprising:
- preparing cells for implantation, the cells being in a first, at least partially undifferentiated state;
implanting the cells at an implantation site within the skull cavity of a patient while the cells are in the first state;
positioning at least one electrode in electrical communication with the implantation site of the patient; and
at least partially correcting a neural dysfunction at least proximate to the implantation site by differentiating the cells at least until the cells achieve a second state, the cells in the second state having an increased level of differentiation and increased neural characteristics when compared to the cells in the first state, wherein differentiating the cells includes applying an electrical potential to the at least one electrode while the electrode is in electrical communication with the implantation site of the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for treating neurological disorders by electrically stimulating cells implanted in the nervous system are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes preparing cells for implantation while the cells are in a first, at least partially undifferentiated state. The cells are then implanted at an implantation site within the patient'"'"'s skull cavity while in the first state, and at least one electrode is positioned to be in electrical communication with the implantation site. The patient'"'"'s neural dysfunction is at least partially corrected by differentiating the cells at least until the cells achieve a second state, with the cells in the second state having an increased level of differentiation and increased neurocharacteristics when compared to the cells in the first state. Differentiating the cells can include applying an electrical potential to the at least one electrode while the electrode is in electrical communication with the implantation site. In further aspects of the invention, the cells are implanted directly into the tissue without being carried by an electrically conductive substrate, and/or the electrode is removed from the patient without removing the implanted cells, for example, after stimulation has been completed.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A method for treating a neural disorder, comprising:
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preparing cells for implantation, the cells being in a first, at least partially undifferentiated state;
implanting the cells at an implantation site within the skull cavity of a patient while the cells are in the first state;
positioning at least one electrode in electrical communication with the implantation site of the patient; and
at least partially correcting a neural dysfunction at least proximate to the implantation site by differentiating the cells at least until the cells achieve a second state, the cells in the second state having an increased level of differentiation and increased neural characteristics when compared to the cells in the first state, wherein differentiating the cells includes applying an electrical potential to the at least one electrode while the electrode is in electrical communication with the implantation site of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for treating a neural disorder, comprising:
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identifying a site of the brain for implantation and stimulation;
preparing cells for implantation, the cells being in a first, at least partially undifferentiated state;
implanting the cells at the site while the cells are in the first state, the cells being unsupported by an electrically conductive substrate;
positioning at least one electrode in electrical communication with the site via native cells; and
at least partially correcting a neural dysfunction at least proximate to the implantation site by differentiating the cells at least until the cells achieve a second state, the cells in the second state having an increased level of differentiation and increased neural characteristics when compared to the cells in the first state, wherein differentiating the cells includes applying an electrical potential to the at least one electrode while the electrode is in electrical communication with the implantation site of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for treating a neural disorder, comprising:
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preparing fully differentiated neural cells for implantation;
implanting the cells at an implantation site within the skull cavity of a patient;
positioning at least one electrode at least proximate to the implantation site;
applying an electrical potential to the at least one electrode while the electrode is at least proximate to the implantation site of the nervous system; and
enhancing connections between native cells and the fully differentiated neural cells by directing an electrical current from the at least one electrode through the tissue surrounding the fully differentiated neural cells. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method for treating a neural disorder, comprising:
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preparing fully differentiated neural cells for implantation;
implanting the cells at an implantation site within the skull cavity of a patient;
positioning at least one electrode at least proximate to the implantation site;
applying an electrical potential to the at least one electrode while the electrode is at least proximate to the implantation site of the nervous system; and
directing growth of the cells by directing an electrical current from the at least one electrode through the tissue surrounding the fully differentiated neural cells. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification