Deep brain stimulator

• US 20060173509A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dartmouth College
• Original Assignee: Dartmouth College
• Inventors: Hartov, Alexander, Roberts, David W., Lee, Kendall H.
• Application Number:
  US11/244,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20060173509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36121 Production of neurotransmitters; Modulation of genes expression

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the detection and ablation of aberrant thalamic oscillations leading to tremor and/or seizure. The invention provides a high frequency stimulator useful for treating and/or preventing the onset of tremor and seizure.

Claims

1. A method of providing high frequency stimulation to the brain of an individual in response to detection of an epileptic oscillation comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a high frequency stimulation system comprising a control module, a detection module containing electronic circuitry capable of detecting an epileptic oscillation, and a high frequency stimulation module under control of said control module;

(b) monitoring for the presence of said epileptic oscillation using said detection module;

(c) sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module if said epileptic oscillation is present; and

(d) said high frequency stimulation module generating a high frequency stimulation to the brain of said individual pursuant to a signal from said control module.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said high frequency stimulation module comprises a stimulation electrode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said stimulation electrode is placed in the thalamus of said individual.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection module comprises a sensor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said sensor is placed in the thalamus of said individual.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said high frequency electrical stimulation signal is between about 10 and 1000 μ

A in amplitude, has a pulse width of between about 10-500 μ

s, has a frequency of between about 10-500 Hz, has an output voltage of between about 1-20 V and has a duration of between about 1 second and 12 hours.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said epileptic oscillation is a thalamic oscillation of 3-6 Hz.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said epileptic oscillation is a decrease in thalamic oscillation from 7-14 Hz.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said high frequency stimulation system further comprises a chemical delivery module operably connected to said control module, wherein said method further comprises the step of said control module sending a signal to said chemical delivery module if said epileptic oscillation is present, wherein said chemical delivery module delivers a neuroactive compound to the brain, or portion thereof, of said individual.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said neuroactive compound is selected from the group consisting of neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, neurochemical, receptor agonist, receptor antagonist, ion channel blocker, and ion channel activator.

11. A method of reducing tremor in an individual comprising:

(a) placing a sensor in or on the brain of said individual, said sensor capable of measuring an epileptic oscillation in said individual, and said sensor being operably connected to a control module;

(b) placing a stimulation electrode in or on the brain of said individual, wherein said stimulation electrode is operably connected to said control module;

(c) measuring thalamic oscillation from said individual;

(d) detecting an epileptic oscillation in said thalamic oscillation, wherein if said epileptic oscillation is detected, a signal indicative thereof is sent to said control module; and

(e) said high frequency stimulating module generating a high frequency stimulation signal pursuant to a signal from said control module, and applying said high frequency stimulation signal to said stimulation electrode, whereby said tremor is reduced.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said stimulation electrode is placed in the thalamus of said individual.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said sensor is placed in the thalamus of said individual.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said high frequency electrical stimulation signal is between about 10 and 1000 μ

A in amplitude, has a pulse width of between about 10-500 μ

s, has a frequency of between about 10-500 Hz, has an output voltage of between about 1-20 V and has a duration of between about 1 second and 12 hours.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said epileptic oscillation is a thalamic oscillation of 3-6 Hz.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said epileptic oscillation is a decrease in thalamic oscillation from 7-14 Hz.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said high frequency stimulation system further comprises a chemical delivery module operably connected to said control module, wherein said method further comprises the step of said control module sending a signal to said chemical delivery module if said epileptic oscillation is present, wherein said chemical delivery module delivers a neuroactive compound to the brain, or portion thereof, of said individual.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said neuroactive compound is selected from the group consisting of neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, neurochemical, receptor agonist, receptor antagonist, ion channel blocker, and ion channel activator.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein said thalamic oscillation is measured by EEG.

20. A system for treating tremor in an individual comprising:

(a) a control module including electronic circuitry;

(b) a high frequency stimulating module operably connected to said control module;

(c) a sensor operatively connected to said control module capable of recording a thalamic oscillation signal from said individual, said sensor adapted to be placed in or on the brain of said individual;

(d) a stimulating electrode operatively connected to said high frequency stimulation module, said stimulating electrode adapted to be placed in or on the brain of said individual;

wherein said electronic circuitry of said control module is adapted to determine if an epileptic oscillation is present in said thalamic oscillation, and to send a signal to said high frequency stimulating module if said epileptic oscillation is present, wherein said high frequency stimulation module generates a high frequency stimulation which is delivered to said stimulating electrode.