Various apparatus and methods for deep brain stimulating electrodes

• US 20060122677A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arnold B. Vardiman
• Original Assignee: Arnold B. Vardiman
• Inventors: Vardiman, Arnold B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,729,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• 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 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

A deploying deep brain stimulating probe with a shaft, at least one opening on said shaft, at least one extendable tendril, said tendril deploying from said shaft into surrounding tissue through said opening and an electrode disposed on said tendril.

Claims

1. A deploying deep brain stimulating probe, comprising:

a shaft;

at least one opening on said shaft;

at least one extendable tendril, said tendril deploying from said shaft into surrounding tissue through said opening; and

,

an electrode disposed on said tendril.

2. A procedure for treating disabling neurological symptoms, comprising:

locating a target within a patient'"'"'s neuromatter where nerve signals generate disabling neurological symptoms;

inserting a probe into said neuromatter adjacent the target;

attaching a pulse generator the patient;

connecting the pulse generator to the probe; and

selectively stimulating the target with the pulse generator to deliver effective treatment.

4. The probe of claim 3 further comprising a tendril deployer for allowing said tendril to contact the brain tissue at a desired time and location.

5. The probe of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of tendrils that are capable of selectively moving from a first position contained within the hollow section to a second position adjacent said brain tissue, said movement being accomplished through the use of the deployer.

6. The probe of claim 5 wherein said deployer is capable of synchronously deploying said tendrils.

7. The probe of claim 5 wherein said deployer is capable of independently deploying said tendrils.

8. The probe of claim 4 further comprising an electrode attached to the distal end for the purpose of treating the brain tissue by delivering a preselected level of electrical stimulation.

9. The probe of claim 8 wherein the level of electrical stimulation can vary in terms of amplitude, frequency, or pulse width.

10. The probe of claim 4 with said tendril configured to deliver an infusate to the brain tissue at the distal end of said tendril.

11. The probe of claim 4 with said tendril configured to deliver an infusate to the brain tissue from a length along the tendril.

12. The probe of claim 4 wherein said shaft is arcuate at the distal end.

13. The probe of claim 5 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

14. The probe of claim 5 wherein the shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

15. The probe of claim 10 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

16. The probe of claim 10 wherein the shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

17. The probe of claim 12 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

18. The probe of claim 12 wherein the shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

19. The probe of claim 5 further comprising a stiffener included within said shaft.

20. A deployable probe for stimulating deep brain tissue, comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow section;

at least one opening on the distal end of said shaft, said opening connecting the hollow section to adjacent brain tissue; and

a plurality of extendable tendrils, each with a proximal end and a distal end, each said tendril capable of selectively moving from a first position contained within the hollow section to a second position adjacent said brain tissue, said tendril configured to deliver treatment to the brain tissue; and

a deployer connected to said tendrils, said deployer capable of independently moving the tendrils from said first position to said second position.

21. The probe of claim 20, wherein the deployer further comprises a fluid-actuated deployment system comprising a plurality of fluid lines, each line with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to said tendril and the proximal end connected to an actuation reservoir.

22. The fluid-actuated deployment system of claim 21 further comprising a percutaneous injector and a plurality of subcutaneous actuation reservoirs.

23. The probe of claim 20 wherein the treatment includes any of the group consisting of one or more of the following:

electrical stimulation, delivery of a pharmaceutical, or delivery of a bioactive agent.

24. The probe of claim 23 wherein said shaft is arcuate at the distal end.

25. The probe of claim 23 further comprising a radio-opaque marker attached to the distal end of said tendrils.

26. The probe of claim 23 wherein the shaft further comprises a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.

27. A procedure for treating disabling neurological symptoms, comprising:

locating a target within a patient'"'"'s neuromatter where nerve signals generate disabling neurological symptoms;

inserting a probe into said neuromatter adjacent the target, said probe capable of delivering treatment to a zone;

determining whether effective treatment can be delivered from said inserted probe to the target, and if effective treatment cannot be delivered from said inserted probe to the target;

expanding the zone without repositioning the probe; and

selectively stimulating the target to deliver effective treatment.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the expanding step includes deploying at least one extendable tendril, said tendril having a proximal end and a distal end, and capable of selectively moving from a first position contained within the probe to a second position adjacent said target, said tendril configured to deliver treatment to the brain tissue.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the treatment includes any of the group consisting of one or more of the following:

electrical stimulation, delivery of a pharmaceutical, or delivery of a bioactive agent.

30. The probe of claim 28, wherein said deploying utilizes a fluid-actuated deployment system comprising a plurality of fluid lines, each line with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to said tendril and the proximal end connected to an actuation reservoir.

31. The fluid-actuated deployment system of claim 30 further comprising a percutaneous injector and a plurality of subcutaneous actuation reservoirs.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein said inserting step includes directing the probe adjacent the target, said probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow section;

at least one opening on the distal end of said shaft, said opening connecting the hollow section to adjacent brain tissue; and

at least one extendable tendril with a proximal end and a distal end, said tendril deploying from the hollow section of said shaft into the tissue through said opening and capable of stimulating said tissue.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the inserting step utilizes a shaft which is arcuate at the distal end.

34. The method of claim 32 further comprising a plurality of tendrils that are selectively moved from a first position contained within the hollow section to a second position adjacent said target.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the tendrils are moved synchronously.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the tendrils are moved independently.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the treatment includes any of the group consisting of one or more of the following:

electrical stimulation, delivery of a pharmaceutical, or delivery of a bioactive agent.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein said deploying utilizes a fluid-actuated deployment system comprising a plurality of fluid lines, each line with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to said tendril and the proximal end connected to an actuation reservoir.

39. The method of claim 27 wherein the inserting step utilized a graduated depth indicator for determining the depth of probe insertion.