Technique for Adjusting the Locus of Excitation of Electrically Excitable Tissue

• US 20100137926A1
• Filed: 02/01/2010
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Leinders, Robert, King, Gary W., Baudino, Michael D., Hrdlicka, Greg
• Application Number:
  US12/697,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20100137926A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36164 Sub-threshold or non-excitatory signals non-excitatory signals to the heart A61N1/3628
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 Timing, e.g. stimulation onset

Abstract

The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.

Claims

1. A method of controlling for therapeutic purposes a volume of neural tissue stimulation of a predetermined portion of a brain of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode at least near said predetermined portion of the brain;

establishing anode/cathode relationships between said first electrode and said second electrode and between said first electrode and said third electrode; and

presenting electrical pulses to each established anode/cathode relationship to cause a steerable locus of excitation of nerve fibers or cells of said brain.