Skull-mounted electrical stimulation system
First Claim
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1. A method of treating patients with headaches and/or neuralgias, comprising:
- implanting at least one system control unit in a shallow recess of the skull of a patient, wherein the at least one unit is capable of controlling the delivery of at least one stimulus to at least one nerve of the upper cervical spine; and
applying the at least one stimulus to the at least one nerve of the upper cervical spine of the patient being treated.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for applying electrical stimulation to the brain to treat headaches and neuralgia use at least one implantable system control unit (SCU), specifically an implantable signal/pulse generator (IPG) with one or more electrodes. The IPG is implanted in the skull and communicates with at least one external appliance, such as a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) unit. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters.
187 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of treating patients with headaches and/or neuralgias, comprising:
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implanting at least one system control unit in a shallow recess of the skull of a patient, wherein the at least one unit is capable of controlling the delivery of at least one stimulus to at least one nerve of the upper cervical spine; and
applying the at least one stimulus to the at least one nerve of the upper cervical spine of the patient being treated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for treating patients with headaches and/or neuralgias, comprising:
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at least one system control unit configured for implantation into a recess of the skull;
at least one stimulating electrode;
means for providing operating power to the at least one system control unit;
means for communicating with and providing stimulation parameters to the at least one system control unit; and
means for generating stimulation pulses in accordance with the stimulation parameters;
wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver the stimulation pulses to at least one nerve of the upper cervical spine. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A therapeutic system for patients with headaches and/or neuralgias, comprising:
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at least one lead, wherein the at least one lead includes at least one electrode; and
at least one system control unit having a size and shape suitable for implantation in a recess in the skull, wherein the at least one system control unit comprises;
electronic circuitry that generates stimulation pulses in accordance with prescribed stimulation parameters, which electronic circuitry is operably connected to the at least one electrode through which the stimulation pulses may be delivered to tissue adjacent to the at least one electrode;
programmable memory for receiving and storing the prescribed stimulation parameters; and
a power source for providing operating power to the electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification