Methods and systems for treating a medical condition by promoting neural remodeling within the brain

• US 20060178709A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Carbunaru, Rafael, Jaax, Kristen N., Whitehurst, Todd K., Foster, Allison M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,327,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula

Abstract

Methods of treating a medical condition include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to promote neural remodeling within the brain of the patient. Systems for treating a medical condition include an implantable stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to promote neural remodeling within the brain of the patient.

Claims

1. A method of treating a medical condition, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus with an implanted stimulator to a stimulation site within a brain of a patient;

wherein said stimulus is in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters and is configured to promote neural remodeling within said brain of said patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a temporal lobe, cerebral ventricle, structure within a limbic system, pituitary gland, brainstem, and cerebral cortex.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said medical condition comprises at least one or more of autism, a psychological disorder, a neurodegenerative disease, a chromosomal abnormality, a bad habit, and an injury to said brain.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing at least one indicator related to said medical condition and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of an electrical activity of said brain, a chemical level of said brain, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, and a medication level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more stimulation parameters are configured to provide a stimulus effective to induce neural dedifferentiation.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more stimulation parameters are configured to provide a stimulus effective to facilitate redifferentiation of a number of neurons.

11. A system for treating a medical condition, said system comprising:

an implantable stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said stimulation parameters and resulting stimulus are configured to promote neural remodeling within said brain of said patient.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a temporal lobe, cerebral ventricle, structure within a limbic system, pituitary gland, brainstem, and cerebral cortex.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said medical condition comprises at least one or more of autism, a psychological disorder, a neurodegenerative disease, a chromosomal abnormality, a bad habit, and an injury to said brain.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a sensor device for sensing at least one indicator related to said medical condition;

wherein said stimulator uses said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of an electrical activity of said brain, a chemical level of said brain, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, and a medication level.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more stimulation parameters are configured to provide a stimulus effective to induce neural dedifferentiation.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more stimulation parameters are configured to provide a stimulus effective to facilitate redifferentiation of a number of neurons.

20. A system for treating a medical condition, said system comprising:

means for applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters; and

means for adjusting said stimulation parameters such that said stimulus is effective to promote neural remodeling.