CORTICAL STIMULATOR METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20100298907A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CareFusion 209, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carefusion Neurocare
• Inventors: Garz, Eric, Nelson, Bjorn, Garsha, Lucas, Quinlivan, Linda, Lombardi, Daniel, Schluter, Ron
• Application Number:
  US12/766,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20100298907A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

A cortical stimulator system is provided. The system may include; a stimulation device having a switch configured to selectively control various electrodes; and a user interface device operatively connected to the stimulation device for controlling the electronic switch and stimulation device, the cortical stimulator system configured to provide a report of provided stimulation. A method of operating a cortical stimulator may be provided. The method may include: connecting a set of probes to the cortical stimulator, selecting parameters regarding a signal to be sent to the set of probes, sending a signal to the set of probes; observing the response of a subject having the set of probes contacting the subjects brain when the signal is sent to the probes, entering the observed response into the cortical stimulator, associating the response to a specific set of probes, and generating a report describing the response and associated probes.

Claims

1. A cortical stimulator system, comprising:

a stimulation device having a switch configured to selectively control various electrodes; and

a user interface device operatively connected to the stimulation device for controlling the electronic switch and stimulation device, the cortical stimulator system configured to provide a report of provided stimulation.

2. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier connected between the stimulation device and a matrix of probes.

3. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, further comprising a computer operatively connected to the stimulation device, the computer having an input configured to permit a user to input observations regarding a subject and the system is configured to associate the input observations with a specific set of probes being stimulated and prepare a report regarding the specific set of probes and the input observations.

4. The cortical stimulator system of claim 3, wherein the computer is further configured to allow a user to associate a color with a set of probes and the report will display the associated colors.

5. The cortical stimulator system of claim 3, further comprising a display operatively connected to the computer, the display configured to display a representation of a subject'"'"'s brain overlaid with data regarding the stimulation procedure.

6. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, further comprising a display screen operatively connected to the stimulation device configured to display information regarding probes and operating parameters selected for the probes.

7. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to allow a user to adjust an aspect of a current sent to a set of probes, wherein the aspect include at least on of the following aspects:

a level of current, a pulse frequency, a pulse duration, a train duration, and which probe is a cathode and which probe is an anode.

8. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, further comprising a stop actuator operatively connected to the stimulation device and configured immediately stop sending stimulating signals to probes used in a stimulation procedure when the stop actuator is actuated.

9. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, further comprising an ictal disrupt actuator operatively connected to the stimulation device and configured to cause the stimulation device to send an ictal disrupt signal to probes used in a stimulation procedure when the ictial disrupt actuator is actuated.

10. The cortical stimulator system of claim 9, wherein the ictal disrupt signal is at least part of the same signal that was applied to the probes immediately proceeding a stop actuator being actuated.

11. The cortical stimulator system of claim 9, wherein the system further includes multiple terminals to simultaneously plug into multiple sets of probes and the system further includes a switching device operatively connected to the multiple terminals, the switching device configured to selectively send signals to a selected set of probes.

12. The cortical stimulator system of claim 11, wherein the multiple sets of probes are connected to the switching device in parallel such that the switching device is configured to selectively send a signal to an individual set of probes while the multiple sets of probes are connected to the switching device.

13. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to display an error code to a user if the system detects an error within the operation of the system.

14. The cortical stimulator system of claim 1, further comprising a blocking circuit configured to prevent current from flowing to a set of probes connected to the system when the system is not set to send current to that set of probes.

15. A method operating a cortical stimulator comprising:

connecting a set of probes to the cortical stimulator;

selecting parameters regarding a signal to be sent to the set of probes;

sending a signal to the set of probes;

observing the response of a subject having the set of probes contacting the subjects brain when the signal is sent to the probes;

entering the observed response into the cortical stimulator;

associating the response to a specific set of probes; and

generating a report describing the response and associated probes.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising stopping current from flowing to a set of probes attached to a subject if an ictal response is observed.

17. The method of claim 16, resending the signal sent to a set of probes immediately before the ictal response was observed.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising electronically switching which set of probes is sent a signal

19. The method of claim 15, associating a color with an observed response and the set of probes that were stimulated resulting the response and inputting the response, and the associated color into the cortical stimulator.

20. The method of claim 15, electronically saving:

the selected parameters regarding the signal sent to a specific set of probes;

the which specific set of probes, and the entered observed response.

21. A cortical stimulator system, comprising:

a stimulation device configured to control at least one set of electrodes; and

an ictal disrupt actuator operatively connected to the stimulation device and configured to cause the stimulation device to send an ictal disrupt signal to the electrodes used in a stimulation procedure when the ictial disrupt actuator is actuated.

22. A cortical stimulator system, comprising:

a stimulation device configured to selectively send current to at least one set of probes; and

a blocking circuit configured to prevent current from flowing into inputs to an amplifier associated with probes selected to be stimulated.