INTRAVENTRICULAR ELECTRODES FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE BRAIN
First Claim
1. A system for stimulating brain cells including a current source and a current sink, whereina. one of the current source and the current sink is within a ventricle of the cerebrum of a brain, andb. the other of the current source and the current sink is outside of the ventricle,with at least a portion of the cerebrum being situated between the current source and the current sink.
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Abstract
An electrode—preferably an anode (current sink)—is implanted within a ventricle of the brain so that the cerebrospinal fluid therein, which is highly conductive, effectively makes the ventricle a conductive extension of the anode. An opposing electrode (i.e., a cathode) can then be situated within or outside the brain (e.g., extradurally) so that a portion of the brain to be electrically stimulated is situated between the electrodes. The electrodes can then be energized at appropriate frequencies and current/voltage levels to apply the desired stimulation, in a manner similar to preexisting Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Extradural Motor Cortex Stimulation (EMCS), and other electrical brain stimulation procedures.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for stimulating brain cells including a current source and a current sink, wherein
a. one of the current source and the current sink is within a ventricle of the cerebrum of a brain, and b. the other of the current source and the current sink is outside of the ventricle, with at least a portion of the cerebrum being situated between the current source and the current sink.
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11. A method for stimulating brain cells including the step of applying current between a current source and a current sink, wherein:
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a. one of the current source and the current sink is within a ventricle of the brain, and b. the other of the current source and the current sink is outside of the ventricle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for stimulating brain cells including:
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a. an elongated first lead including; (1) a conductive path extending along the length of the first lead, (2) an insulating layer situated about the conductive path, (3) a current sink at which the insulating layer is absent, with the conductive path being exposed along the exterior of the first lead, (4) an interior passage through which cerebrospinal fluid may flow, the interior passage extending alongside the conductive path; b. a second lead which is separate and spaced from the first lead, the second lead extending between a power supply and an exposed current source; wherein the current source and current sink, when situated in spaced relationship within a conductive medium, allow current flow from the current source of the second lead to the current sink of the first lead through the conductive medium. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification