Methods and Systems for Establishing Neural Stimulation Parameters and Providing Neural Stimulation
First Claim
1. A method for providing electrical stimulation therapy to a cortex of a patient via a plurality of electrodes proximate to the cortex and a pulse generator implanted in the patient, the method comprising:
- determining whether a current density of an electrical field in the cortex applied via the plurality of electrodes is sufficient for a desired purpose;
if the current density is not sufficient, then selecting a subset of the plurality of electrodes; and
applying electrical current to the cortex through the subset of the plurality of electrodes.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for providing electrical stimulation therapy to a cortex of a patient via a plurality of electrodes proximate to the cortex and a pulse generator implanted in the patient. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention comprises determining whether the current applied via the plurality of electrodes results in a sufficient current density in the cortex. The current density, for example, may need to be high enough to induce a response in the patient for determining the activation threshold of the specific stimulation site, or the current density may need to be high enough to perform a specific therapy. If the current density is not sufficient, the method continues by selecting a subset of the plurality of electrodes, and applying electrical current to the cortex via the subset of the electrodes. For example, if the current density is not sufficient when the current is applied to the full plurality of electrodes at approximately the maximum output of the pulse generator, then the current level from the pulse generator can be applied to only a subset of the electrodes to effectively increase the current density in the cortex at the active electrodes.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for providing electrical stimulation therapy to a cortex of a patient via a plurality of electrodes proximate to the cortex and a pulse generator implanted in the patient, the method comprising:
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determining whether a current density of an electrical field in the cortex applied via the plurality of electrodes is sufficient for a desired purpose; if the current density is not sufficient, then selecting a subset of the plurality of electrodes; and applying electrical current to the cortex through the subset of the plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining a subthreshold stimulation current to be delivered to a cortex of a patient during therapy, comprising:
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applying electrical current to the cortex via a plurality of electrodes implanted in the patient at least proximate to the cortex without triggering a motor and/or sensory response in the patient; selecting a subset of the plurality of electrodes; applying electrical current to the cortex via the subset of electrodes until a suprathreshold current from the subset of electrodes triggers a response in the patient; and selecting a subthreshold stimulation current less than the suprathreshold current. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for applying electrical current to a cortex of a patient via a pulse generator implanted in the patient, comprising:
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implanting an electrode array at least proximate to the cortex of the patient, the electrode array having a flexible support member and a plurality of electrodes mounted to the support member, and the electrode array being electrically coupled to the implanted pulse generator such that at least one first electrode can be operated independently of at least one second electrode; determining that an electrical current applied concurrently to the first electrode and the second electrode produces an electrical field in the cortex having a large area current density which is not sufficient to carry out an aspect of a cortical stimulation therapy for the patient; applying electrical current to the cortex via the first electrode for a first time period without applying electrical stimulation to the second electrode, wherein a first current density at the first electrode is higher than the large area current density; and applying electrical current to the cortex via the second electrode for a second time period without applying electrical stimulation to the first electrode, wherein a second current density at the second electrode is higher than the large area current density. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A cortical stimulation system, comprising:
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an electrode array configured to be implanted at least proximate to the cortex, wherein the electrode array has a plurality of electrodes; and a pulse generator configured to be coupled to the electrode array to provide electrical signals to at least one of the electrodes, wherein the pulse generator comprises a controller having instructions that cause the pulse generator to (a) receive a determination of whether a current density of an electrical field in the cortex applied via the electrodes is sufficient for a desired purpose, (b) if the current density is not sufficient, then select a subset of the plurality of the electrodes, and (c) apply electrical current to the cortex through the subset of the plurality of the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification