Methods and systems for stimulating a motor cortex of the brain to treat a medical condition

• US 20060195154A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• 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 motor cortex within a brain of a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating a medical condition include a system control unit implanted within the patient that is configured to apply at least one stimulus to a motor cortex within a brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.

Claims

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

applying at least one stimulus to a motor cortex within a brain of said patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said stimulus is configured to treat said medical condition.

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

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said one or more electrodes are included in a round electrode array.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said stimulation parameters control one or more of a frequency of said stimulation current, a pulse width of said stimulation current, a duty cycle of said stimulation current, a burst pattern of said stimulation current, and an amplitude of said stimulation current.

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

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

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 1, wherein said system control unit is implanted in a hole created in a skull of said patient.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said hole having a size substantially equal to a size of said system control unit.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said system control unit comprises a microstimulator.

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

a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a motor cortex within a brain of said patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said system control unit is implanted within said patient and wherein said stimulus is configured to treat said medical condition.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said system control unit is coupled directly to said motor cortex.

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

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said one or more electrodes are included in a round electrode array.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said stimulation parameters control one or more of a frequency of said stimulation current, a pulse width of said stimulation current, a duty cycle of said stimulation current, a burst pattern of said stimulation current, and an amplitude of said stimulation current.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulus comprises stimulation via one or more drugs delivered to said motor cortex.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said motor cortex and one or more drugs delivered to said motor cortex.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

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

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

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said system control unit comprises a micro stimulator.

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

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

wherein said stimulus is configured to treat said medical condition.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said means for applying a stimulus comprises an implanted system control unit.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said system control unit is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.